Women’s T20 WC 2023: Sri Lanka SWOT analysis
After seven successful editionS, the Women’s T20 World Cup is all set to return for its eighth edition. South Africa will host the global event, which is scheduled to run from February 10 to February 26. A total of 10 teams, will be participating in the marquee event. The teams have been divided into two groups of five each. The top two teams from both groups will be playing the knockout games.
The tournament last took place in 2020 in Australia, and the hosts clinched the title for a record fifth time. As the tournament approaches its 2023 edition, the remaining five teams would be eyeing to script history by making the cut to the summit clash and Sri Lanka will be one among those five teams. The Islanders are placed alongside Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and host South Africa in Group 1.
SWOT analysis of Sri Lanka:
STRENGTH
Skipper Chamari Athapaththu is the team’s biggest strength. Her experience as a leader, ability to score runs and take wickets in crunch situations makes her a perfect all-rounder. She is currently the leading run-scorer for her team in the 20-over format, with 2181 runs to her name. The team will rely on her experience and expertise yet again.
WEAKNESS
Sri Lanka have not played T20I since the conclusion of the Women’s Asia Cup in October 2022. They made it to the finals of the Asian event but lost the summit clash against India. Hasini Perera, who was a part of the squad then, missed out of the World Cup owing to an injury. Her absence will be felt, but since the team has not played any game in the format in the past three months, that will act as an obstacle too. They will be hoping to make the most of the warm-up games.
OPPORTUNITY
Sathya Sandeepani, who has played only one T20I for the side, back during the 2020 edition of the T20 World Cup received a call back. While she will be looking to retain her place in the side for a long term, veteran Ama Kanchana, who has been in-and-out of the international setup, has also returned for the global event and will be eyeing to make the most of the opportunity.
THREAT
Sri Lanka have not had the best of results in the ICC T20 World Cup competitions, with only eight victories in their last 27 matches. Not many teams consider Sri Lanka as a threat, but it is the other way round for the Islanders. Being placed in Group 1 alongside Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and South Africa, every opponent will be a threat to Sri Lanka and Athapaththu will have a big task leading her side against the formidable sides.
Sri Lanka Squad: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Oshadi Ranasinghe, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Malsha Shehani, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya, Vishmi Gunaratne, Tharika Sewwandi, Ama Kanchana, Sathya Sandeepani
