Singer powers women's Asia Cup

National sponsors for Sri Lanka women's cricket, Singer is powering the mega event of the Tri-nation series for the Asia Cup in Karachi Lahore, Pakistan from December 26, 2005 to January 5, 2006 between Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka with an extended invitation for Bangladesh to debut if they are ready to do so.

'Our aim is to involve more countries in the Asian region to participate in cricket so that more and more young women will take up to this game and strengthen the cricket structure in Asia in readiness for the next World Cup 2009 in Australia' Gwen Herat, President Women's Cricket Association of SL and of Sri Lanka Cricket W/C told Ceylon Daily News as the Sri Lankan team was preparing to leave the country for the series.

"At the World Cup 2005 in South Africa, our team displayed poor performance not because they were weak but for lack of motivation and poor captaincy that could not make the players perform as a team. It was a debacle from which we have to recover. When we had all the opportunities to slot into fifth place at world ranking, the team missed.

Came the England series last month, it was the same story but with few adjustments and new blood brought in, the team is playing as a unit under the new coach, Bernard Perera.' Herat further said.

'Pakistan tour is a good chance for them to show improvement before they face the touring MCC in February.' she said, 'Being under Sri Lanka Cricket gives us the feeling of professionalism and the Interim Committee is very understanding and ready to help us forge ahead.'

The series in Pakistan is hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (Women's Wing) which is the second leg of the series. Sri Lanka played the first series last year while India will host the third and the fourth by Bangladesh if they play. The Asia Cup series rotate so that all countries get the opportunity of hosting.

National Selectors, A.R.M. Aroos, Chairman, Stanley de Alwis, Gulam Razik and M. Devaraj pruned down the 40 strong pool to a 16 member squad from which 14 make up the team. Shashikala Siriwardena to lead Sri Lanka

All rounder, Shashikala Siriwardena replaces former captain, Sandamali Dolewatte to lead the Sri Lanka Women's XI.

The experienced youthful Siriwardena is expected to do well and motivate the team which sadly lacked when they played for the World Cup - Five freshers are included who debutted in the England series played last month in Sri Lanka. Experienced Dedunu de Silva is the vice captain while Dumila Dedunu replaces Rangika Galhenege who still remains as alternate WK in the team.

Indoor practices continue because of the rain under Bernard Perera, the National Coach for the Sri Lanka Team. While Pakistan Cricket Board is hosting the series for this second leg of the Asia Cup, India will host the third leg end of 2006. Sri Lanka was the first venue for it last year. Singer Sri Lanka, national sponsor for Sri Lanka Women's cricket is sponsoring this mega event.

The National Squad:

Shashikala Sirwardena (Captain), Dedunu de Silva (Vice Captain), Chamari Polgampola, Eshani Kaushalya, W.A. Chandrawathie, Inoka Galagedara, Prabha Udawatte, Rangika Galhenege - Alternate WK, Swini de Alwis, Dumila Dedunu - Wicket Keeper, Sandamali Dolewatte, Hiroshi Abesinghe, Sumudhu Fernando, Janakanthi Mala, Indralatha - Reserve, Bernard Perera - Coach, S.K. Ravindran (Manager), Depthi Gunaratne (Asst. Manager), Physiotherapist - Pushpa Jayasiri.