By Shahzad Raza
MUSCAT: Vaishali Jesrani will lead Oman Women’s Cricket Team to an eventful tour of the United Kingdom (UK) later this month where it will play five T20 games against the women’s teams of the leading English counties.
Oman Cricket is determined to develop a strong women’s team after its men’s side won the ODI status from ICC, and the UK tour is part of its efforts to realise this goal.
“The tour comes at the end of our domestic season and will provide our girls a great opportunity to test themselves against superior opposition in foreign conditions. I must thank Oman Cricket (OC) for taking this step and we hope to make the most of a wonderful opportunity to learn and improve,” said Vaishali, who is also OC Coordinator for Women’s Cricket.
When asked how the team was preparing for the tour, she said: “The girls are training three times a week. They have also played practice matches against boys’ teams besides having strenuous fitness training sessions every Friday morning. It is heartening to see healthy competition among the 18 girls in the fray which will be pruned to 14 for the final tour squad.”
Two experienced coaches, Sajith Kumar and Haider Ali, along with the team’s trainer Vijay Kaliswaran, are working hard with the team to improve its playing skills and fitness.
“We need to be on the top of our game for the T20 format and we are receiving excellent support from our coaches and trainer. It is highly important for us that we improve in all departments of the game and get our combinations right for the English conditions before we embark on the tour. The girls are really excited and looking forward to playing cricket in new conditions against different opposition,” she explained.
Vaishali said Oman team has come a long way from the days it struggled to put a decent eleven together.
“Over the years the girls have stayed committed to the game of cricket and have developed their skills. We may not be up there with the top teams yet, but we are progressing. We are thankful to Oman Cricket for all the support it has provided,” she added.
Oman probables: Vaishali Jesrani, Nayan Molly, Priyanka Mendonca, Bhavya Shetty, Suhani Dadwal, Bhakti Shetty, Amanda Dcosta, Fiza Javed, Hina Javed, Shreya Sandesh Dhuri, Shajina Rajesh, Saya Channa, Kashish Deep Jaywant, Saparna Sivakumar, Jayadhanyha Gunasekar, Yashika Verma, Anshita Tiwari, Sakshi Shetty.
Coaches: Sajith Kumar, Haider Ali. Physio: Vijay Kaliswaran.
