SA vs SL: “We Have Been Playing Really Good Cricket Around The World”- Chamari Athapaththu

Chamari Athapaththu-led Sri Lanka is riding on confidence heading into the ODI series versus South Africa, having defeated the Proteas in the T20I series by a margin of 2-1. Now, as the stage is set for the commencement of the ODI series between South Africa and Sri Lanka, the significance of each encounter reverberates not only within the confines of the cricket field but also across the broader landscape of the ICC Women’s Championship.

With the ICC Women’s Championship dictating the pathway to the pinnacle of women’s cricket (i.e.) qualification for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in 2025, every match holds profound relevance in shaping the journey of these teams towards glory.

Ahead of the series opener, captains Laura Wolvaardt and Chamari Athapaththu– while replying to Neha Shetty of Women’s CricInsight offered insights into their perspectives, aspirations, and the pulse of their respective teams in the pre-match press conference.

Laura Wolvaardt: Embracing the Importance of this ODI Series

For South Africa, currently positioned favourably on the ICC Women’s Championship table, the series against Sri Lanka underscores the imperativeness of securing every possible point.

Addressing the gravity of the forthcoming contests, Wolvaardt asserted, “Yeah, definitely very important. Obviously, we find ourselves in quite a good position on that log. But we still have a couple of tough series lying ahead of us. So I think every point that we can secure is good. It’s obviously a massive series.”

Acknowledging Sri Lanka’s prowess showcased in the T20 series, Wolvaardt emphasized the necessity of vigilance, stating, “Sri Lanka are a really good side and they showed that in the T20 series by putting up some good performances. So it’s definitely not a series that we can take lightly at all. We’ll definitely have to be at our best to try and secure as many points as we can.”

Reflecting on the infusion of young talent into the squad, Wolvaardt exuded optimism, particularly highlighting the promising performances of Karabo Meso. She said, “Especially Karabo has been really good with the gloves and she’s really impressed selectors and coaches. But yeah, I think for them [the youngsters] it was just about learning as much as they could and enjoying the experience.”

“It’s obviously very exciting to have some young talent coming through the ranks. I think the T20 series was awesome to give some new players some chances. And think so far everyone has been really impressive,” she remarked, underlining the importance of learning and relishing the experience for the emerging cricketers.

Reiterating the importance of the series, the Proteas skipper said, “Obviously these games are very important to us. We’ll definitely be looking to play our best 11 and hopefully put up a good performance.”

Chamari Athapaththu-led Sri Lanka: Riding the Wave of Confidence

Having triumphed in the T20 series, Sri Lanka enters the ODI arena with a buoyant spirit, fueled by recent victories against formidable opponents. Athapaththu conveyed the team’s confidence, stating, “Actually, [in the] last couple of months, we [have been] playing really good cricket around the world. Especially, we beat New Zealand on our home soil and we beat England on their home soil as well. And finally, we beat South Africa on their home soil.”

Drawing inspiration from notable triumphs over cricketing powerhouses such as New Zealand and England, Athapaththu emphasized the team’s intent to continue their impressive form into the ODI series.

“I am pretty confident about my unit. We played really good cricket [in the] last couple of months. I hope we can continue this performance in the next ODI series as well. But this is a different format, so we have to execute our right plan at the right time,” she affirmed, exuding determination to maintain their stellar performance trajectory.

While acknowledging the transition from T20 to the longer format, Athapaththu articulated Sri Lanka’s commitment to executing their game plan with precision, while staying true to their aggressive brand of cricket. “We try to play our positive cricket in [the] ODI tournament as well,” she remarked, highlighting the team’s resolve to approach the series with an assertive mindset.

As the cricketing fraternity awaits the unfolding drama of the South Africa-Sri Lanka ODI series, the stakes remain high, echoing the broader narrative of the ICC Women’s Championship.

With both teams poised to showcase their prowess, the stage is set for a captivating spectacle that promises to captivate fans and redefine the contours of women’s cricket on the global stage.

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