Girls’ schools enter Observer Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer Awards 2018
From 2019, the Observer Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year award will recognise talented cricketers from both boys and girls schools and will be rebranded as the ‘Observer Mobitel School Cricketer of the year.’
The all-male bastion of cricket has now been breached by the female of the species and there is no looking back for female cricketers at all levels, from school to national cricket. This revolutionary change took place only a few decades ago, also influencing Sri Lankan girls’ schools to embrace the sport bringing forth hidden talent of girls who have not had an opportunity to display their prowess or hone their cricketing skills. A few pioneering schools formed cricket teams and today we see Sri Lankan women cricketers making Sri Lanka proud in the international arena and big matches being played between girls schools.
The 40th Schoolboy Cricketer Awards Night rewarded girls from two schools. These cricketers are also national players representing Sri Lanka in international women’s’ cricket.
Kaveesha Dilhari from Devapathiraja College, Rathgama bagged the Best Batswoman title while Sithmi Hirasha and Harshitha Madhavi from Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda won the Best Bowler Award and the Best All-rounder Awards respectively.
Young Voice interviewed the three award winning girl cricketers.
Kaveesha Dilhari said that she enjoyed watching cricket matchesfrom her childhood and has watched many local and international matches. “The cricketers on screen were my inspiration to play cricket. I wanted to play cricket like them. My role model is Nathan Lyon and I always try to follow her style.
My family and school support me a lot both in my studies and cricket. They all want me to do well and make them proud. My school teachers, Master Nishantha and my school coach Mahesh encouraged and motivated me to achieve my dream.”
Asked whether she has any message for would be girl cricketers Dilhari said, “If you have talent for cricket, first love the game, then work hard and be determined. What is most important is that you play with discipline.”
Dilhari says that the biggest challenge that she faces as a girl cricketer is that almost all Asian parents do not like their daughters playing cricket. “They want us to do well in studies and not sports, especially cricket.
The situation is getting better now I believe. Much of that parental mentality is changing. That is a good sign and I am happy about it,” she said.
“Currently I am in Grade 13 doing my Advance Level Examination. I spend most of my time oncricket but at the same time I make sure that I do my studies well and balance sports and studies. I am lucky to have a supportive family and friends. I played netball but gave it up as I am too involved in cricket.I dance with my friends during my leisure time,” a smiling Dilhari added.
“I feel very happy and proud to receive the ‘Best Batswoman Award’. I also won the’Most Promising Player Award’ at the ‘Dialog School Cricket Awards’. I think there are no big differences between our talents and skills when comparing with the other girls’ teams worldwide. We just have to think individually and how we should handle ourselves at the ground. If everyone thinks more about that I think we will surely beat everyone. We have done well against India earlier and have beaten them several times,” adds Dilhari.
Sithmi Hirasha who bagged the ‘Best Bowler Award’ says that she got involved in cricket because of her younger brother. “My role models are Kumar Sangakkara in the men’s team and Hasini Perera in the women’s team. Sometimes, it is hard to balance studies and cricket at the same time but I try my best to balance. My parents and school supportme a lot,” said Hirasha.
“My father and my coaches especially my first coach, Sahan Deshapriya and Palitha Gunasekara greatly inspired me to play cricket. I am thankful for all they have done for me. If youngsters want to get into cricket first they have to play according to their will. If they want to go ahead in cricket they must have commitment, determination and effort,” said Hirasha.
She said that most of people think that cricket is a ‘Gentleman’s Game’ and that is the biggest barrier for women.” But I have support from my home to overcomethe barriers and I am happy about it. I am studying in Grade 12 and when I miss my school lessons due to cricket practices, my teachers help to cover the syllabus by having extra classes for me. I was playing badminton before I got into cricket,” she said.
“I used to play with my two sisters and brother when I am free. The Observer Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer Award is my first award and I am very happy about it. It is a great encouragement for me.
If anyone wants to go ahead in cricket they must have commitment, determination and effort,” says Hirasha. One of the best women’s cricket teams in South Asia is India. In my view, Sri Lanka needs to improve their batting to beat India. Batting is the most important thing to win a match,” explained Hirasha.
“I started playing cricket with my brother when I was seven years old. I watched men’s matches on television. It increased my interest in cricket. One day, there was a selection at my school to choose the school cricket team. I played well and my school coach Lalanga Rajapaksha asked me to join the team.
Then I started playing hard ball cricket. My role model is former national skipper Shashikala Siriwardena. She is my hero in women’s cricket. She is one of the best all rounder’s in Sri Lanka.
While we play together, if I do anything wrong in batting or bowling she always corrects me and gives me advice. She coaches me at the MCA academy. Ihope to followin her foot steps in cricket.”
Harshitha Madavi of Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda, was the winner of the All-rounder Award.
Madavi said, “My parents help me a lot to play cricket. My father takes me for daily practices. My mother always motivates me to do well in cricket, as well as in my studies. Also, my brother advises me on improving my cricket. I am here because my family believed in my talent and supported me. I started playing competitive cricket from my first school Gothami Balika Vidyalaya Colombo.
Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda has helped me too. Both schools and teachers gave me much help to balance my studies and cricket. I really enjoy this sport. Girls wanting to get involved in cricket, have many opportunities currently. It has become a professional sport for Sri Lankan girls. You need discipline, commitment and passion to play for your country and be a success.”
“For a girl to play cricket we need our parents’ permission. That is the first challenge. Luckily, my parents supported me. Now, a lot of opportunities are given by the Sri Lanka Cricket Council so players can focus on the game. I have just finished my schooling and I have applied to Sri Jayewardenepura University for a Sports Degree.
With the help of family, school teachers and friends I could manage both studies and practices. I used to do extra classes on Saturdays and Sundays,” added Madavi.
Speaking further Madavi said that she played badminton before she started playing cricket. “For some time I played both but later I stopped playing badminton to playing cricket full time. During leisure I usually watch cricket matches. Also I do watch movies, listen to songs and hang out with friends. I have received several awards before the Observer Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer Award.”
“The Observer Mobitel and Dialog Most Popular School Girl Awards are the most recognised awards. I have received awards from School Tournaments and the Murali Cup Tournament. I am really thankful to these award organisers and sponsors for encouraging us by appreciating our performances. We have beaten India several times. We have won a T20 series against India in 2014. I am hopeful we can continue our good performance against India in the upcoming series this September,” she said.
