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Read the following story by Yvonne Bohwongprasert from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the questions that follow.
Thailand’s national women’s cricket team rose to fame recently after winning the gold medal at the 17th Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia.
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
Cricket - a bat-and-ball game between two teams of 11 players - has been around for over 400 years. The sport originated in England and was later exported around the world via the British Empire. It’s enormously popular in many countries, notably India, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa and the West Indies.
But for much of the rest of the world, the game is little-known. For the past 10 years, attempts have been made to promote cricket in Thailand with limited success. However, after the women’s national team’s achievement at the SEA Games, this could all change.
The team has come an extraordinarily long way in a very short period of time. Prior to their SEA Games victory, they won the ACC Women’s Championships in 2013 and 2014. They are currently ranked 13th in the world.
WE ARE FAMILY
We caught up with two of the 15-member national squad - team captain Sornarin Tippoch and all-rounder Cha-nida Sutthiruang - to talk about their remarkable achievement.
Big-hitting Sornarin, 31, who has been with the team since it began 10 years ago, said cricket enabled her to come out of her shell and be the confident woman she is today. She comes from Buri Ram province and is a sports science major. As one of the first players to join the national team, she leads by example.
“Cricket has unfortunately received very little exposure in Thailand despite the fact that we have done pretty well in the last couple of years. Hopefully, winning gold at the SEA Games will encourage more youngsters to take up the sport,” she said.
“Being a member of this team is wonderful. We share a tight bond. Being the eldest, I take on the role of big sister. Each player comes with her own set of issues, be it problems in their love life, education or family. I’m there for them 24/7.”
GO GIRL
Surin-born Chanida is the national team’s top pace bowler. On the field, she has a penchant for speed. But off it, she describes herself as a very girly character.
“I love to dress up and paint my nails. But I don’t get the chance to do all that stuff very often. I have to keep my nails short as a bowler. People ask me if I worry about getting dark in the sun. Well, cricket is my life. I’ve done it for six years and it’s become my passion. Helping the team to win is more important than having light skin,” she said.
Chanida admits that the game is not for the faint-hearted. The cricket ball is hard as stone and she has had her fair share of bumps, scratches and bruises. But this doesn't stop her.
“Since our feat at the SEA Games, we have received fame, brought joy to our families and gained a clearer direction in our lives as cricketers,” she said proudly.
SECTION 1
Read through the story and answer the following multiple-choice questions.
1. What is the article about?
a. The history of cricket.
b. The recent SEA Games in Malaysia.
c. The national women’s cricket team.
2. When was the team set up?
a. Ten years ago.
b. In 2013 and 2014.
c. The article doesn’t say.
3. Cricket began in which country?
a. Great Britain.
b. India.
c. South Africa.
4. How many players are there in the national squad?
a. 11.
b. 15.
c. 31.
5. The team is currently ranked ___________ in the world.
a. 1st
b. 3rd
c. 13th
6. Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to the article?
a. Sornarin joined the team in her 20s.
b. Sornarin is from Surin province.
c. Sornarin’s younger sister is also in the team.
7. Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to the article?
a. Chanida cries if she breaks a nail.
b. Chanida says that you have to be tough to play cricket.
c. Chanida is afraid of getting hurt.
SECTION 2
Match each of the following words used in the story with the correct definitions from the choices given.
| 8.penchant | a. a blue, brown or purple mark that appears on the skin after somebody has fallen, hit something or been hit |
| 9. bond | b. an action or piece of work that needs skill, strength or courage |
| 10. bump | c. a special liking for something |
| 11. bruise | d. something that forms a connection between people or groups |
| 12. feat | e. a swelling on the body, often caused by a blow |
| 13. bowler | f. a player who throws the ball towards the batsman |
SECTION 3
Read the following passage. Then, fill in the blanks with the correct words from the choices given.
“The team I came in to work with already had lots of …..14…. All I had to do was fine-tune …..15….. techniques and tactics. Together, we’ve managed to qualify for the 50-over World Cup qualifiers, but we were beaten …..16….. they came up against strong teams from the …..17….. subcontinent,” coach Janak Champika Gamage said. Having been with the team …..18….. 15 months, …..19….. has managed to gain the respect and admiration of the team members.
14.
a. talented
b. talentless
c. talent
15.
a. they
b. them
c. their
16.
a. when
b. afterward
c. despite
17.
a. India
b. Indian
c. Indians
18.
a. since
b. for
c. ago
19.
a. they
b. we
c. he
