Imagine the tension on the cricket field as Sri Lanka’s captain, Chamari Athapaththu, suddenly collapses during a crucial match against England, leaving her team and fans in a state of shock. But here's where it gets controversial—was it just cramps, or is there more to the story? Let’s dive in.
During Sri Lanka’s chase of England’s 253 for 9 (powered by Nat Sciver-Brunt’s century), Athapaththu was stretchered off the field early in the innings, sparking serious concerns for her team. The sight of her being carried away—rather than walking off with assistance—hinted at the team’s caution, especially with the demanding World Cup schedule looming. After all, Athapaththu is the linchpin of Sri Lanka’s tournament hopes.
The incident unfolded in the sixth over when Athapaththu dragged a Linsey Smith delivery to deep midwicket. As she jogged a single, her limp became noticeable, and moments after reaching the non-striker’s end, she collapsed face-first onto the ground. Despite immediate attention from the physio and several minutes of treatment, a stretcher was eventually called, and she never stood up on her own. And this is the part most people miss—her inability to walk off unaided suggests the team is prioritizing her long-term health over immediate risks.
Remarkably, Athapaththu returned to bat in the 23rd over after Sri Lanka lost their third wicket, adding eight runs before being bowled by Sophie Ecclestone for 15 in the 29th over. Her resilience is undeniable, but the episode raises questions: Was the stretcher an overreaction, or a necessary precaution? Given her full participation in England’s innings (bowling five overs for 21) and the recent humid conditions in Colombo—typical for this season—could fatigue or dehydration have played a role? Interestingly, she had also received extra stretching assistance during training the day before, hinting at underlying concerns.
Here’s the bold question: Are teams like Sri Lanka doing enough to manage player workload in high-stakes tournaments? Or is the pressure to perform pushing athletes beyond their limits? Let’s discuss in the comments—do you think this was a justified call, or an overcautious move? Your thoughts could spark a much-needed conversation about player welfare in cricket.
