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Indoor Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka
By Bernie Wijesekera
It's a great honour for Sri Lanka Indo Cricket when the Ceylon Indoor Cricket Association will host the 5th Indoor Cricket World Cup 2004 in Sri Lanka, said the Chairman of CICA Dhakshitha Anthony.

It will be held at the Austasia Sports Complex, Talawatugoda from October 8-16. This 5th Indoor World Cup for men and women will be a one to remember. Both teams are working hard and will play hard, maintaining the spirit of the game alive at all times. Hutchison, Telecom Managing Director, Thiru Nadarasa, said it's a big boost for Indoor Cricket to embark in a venture where the world's best willow wielders in Indoor Cricket drawn - six Test playing nations Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, India host Sri Lanka joined by UAE (Affiliate) all will play in the men's draw.

In the women's cup barring UAE it will be a battle royal. Defending champions Australia are the favourites. Close on their heels are New Zealand and the Lankan girls led by Rose Fernando are ranked third. They are determined to give of their best with a never-say-die approach and keep the lion flaging. Fernando plays for the Slimline SC who has made name in boxing. Rose said we are training under the watchful eye of Craig Slocombe. Craig is the coach for both teams. 12 in each squad. The girls team is managed by Vannesa de Silva, former Indoor Cricket W.C. captain. The last W.C. was held in New Zealand.

The men's team will be led by former Josephian captain Asela Pathirana who played for the NCC. He was a quite success as a hard hitting batsman. Asela said the Lankans lost to England 2-1 (away). In Sri Lanka last year they beat S. Africa played here. S. Africa was leading 2-0 in a five Test series but did will to fight back to win 3-2.

Sri Lanka with their home support backed by an unstinted team effort will give the defending champions Australia a good run, said former Sri Lanka Youth and Royal captain Gamini Perera. At present he is the Operations Manager Austasia and National Selector Indoor Cricket.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony on October 9. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse will be chief guest at the closing ceremony finals on October 16.

The teams
Men's: Asela Pathirana (Captain), Chrishantha Peries (Vice Captain), Roshan Weerasinghe, Thushendra Zoysa, Sanjeewa Jayaratne, Iroshan De Silva, Tharindu Mendis, Manoj Fernando, Kuruppuarachchi Kamal, Kolitha Nayanananda, Dilshan Witharana, Sachindra Gonaduwa.

Women's: Rose Fernando (Captain), Gayathri Kariyawasam (Vice Captain), Hiruka Fernando, Nilu Mendis, Dilani Surangika, Deepika Rasangika, Gayathri Liyanage, Lasanthi Madushani, Dinesha Jayasinghe, Deepashika Perera, Anusha Wijewardena, Luckmali Perera, Loshini Perera.

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