Missing out on the last Women’s World Cup in New Zealand was a bitter pill to swallow for Sri Lanka’s women’s team. But instead of dwelling on disappointment, the islanders regrouped, restructured, and reignited their ambitions. A raft of reforms followed — and the results have been nothing short of remarkable.
Everyone remembers Sri Lanka’s fairytale Asia Cup triumph, toppling India in the final. Since then, the women in blue and gold have claimed even bigger scalps in bilateral series — South Africa, New Zealand, and England have all fallen victim to their rise. Only Australia now remains the final frontier.
World Cup Breakthrough And A Financial Boost
At this year’s Women’s World Cup, Sri Lanka punched above their weight to finish fifth — just below the four semi-finalists. Rain spoiled three of their matches, and with a touch of luck, they might well have sneaked into the last four.
Their fifth-place finish came with a handsome USD 700,000 prize purse — a timely shot in the arm for women’s cricket back home and proof that investment and belief are finally bearing fruit.
Building From The Ground Up
The structures now in place for women’s cricket are sturdy and sustainable, with a record number of schools embracing the sport — a sea change from the not-so-distant past when schoolgirl cricket barely existed. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been the driving force behind this transformation, supplying schools with gear, pitches, and coaches. Encouragingly, the enthusiasm is spreading beyond Colombo, with girls in rural areas picking up the sport with unbridled passion.
A New Culture Of Competition
The push to introduce ‘Big Matches’ for girls — mirroring the carnival-like interschool encounters among boys — is gaining momentum. Officials believe this tradition will inject fresh excitement and rivalry, helping the women’s game capture more spectators and school spirit.
Defined Pathways And Wider Exposure
Player development is now structured, with girls competing at Under-15 and Under-17 levels, feeding into district and Inter-Provincial tournaments. Four provinces are currently active, ensuring budding cricketers get early exposure to competitive cricket.
There’s also a growing dose of international experience. Sri Lanka hosted Australia’s Under-19 team last month and will tour Down Under next year. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s national team is scheduled to visit Colombo shortly for a bilateral series — valuable preparation ahead of the next Under-19 World Cup.
Professional Opportunities And Longevity
From school cricket, players graduate to the club scene — the breeding ground for national selection. Ten clubs now contest both 50-over and T20 tournaments, with provincial competitions serving as a launchpad for national honours.
Today, around 100 women cricketers hold SLC contracts across four categories — National, ‘A’ team, Emerging, and Under-19. For the first time, many of them can make a living purely through cricket — a giant leap towards full professionalism.
Former players are also staying connected to the game, taking up roles as coaches, umpires, referees, and administrators. From grassroots to the elite level, women’s cricket in Sri Lanka is no longer an afterthought. It’s a movement on the rise — bat raised, eyes forward, ready to take on the world.
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