Top News

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt led her team to a dominant 89-run win over Sri Lanka in their Women’s World Cup match at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday. Sciver-Brunt scored a brilliant century and also took two wickets while Sophie Ecclestone starred with the ball grabbing 4 for 17. This win marked England’s third consecutive victory in the tournament helping them stay unbeaten and remain at the top of the table. How did Sri Lanka bat? Sri Lanka chasing a target of 254 had a slow start. Opener Hasini Perera had to leave the field retired hurt after pulling her hamstring during a run in the sixth over though she returned later. Captain Chamari Athapaththu was replaced by Vishmi Gunaratne who was dismissed for 10 by Charlie Dean giving England their first wicket just before the powerplay ended. At the end of 10 overs Sri Lanka were 37/1 and still in the game. However they struggled in the middle overs losing key batters and slipping to 116/5 after 28 overs. Only Hasini Perera (35) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33) made notable contributions. The rest of the batting lineup collapsed under pressure with Ecclestone dominating with her left-arm spin. Sri Lanka never recovered from the middle-order collapse and were bowled out for 164 in 45.4 overs. Nilakshika Silva added 23 the third-highest score for her team. Who performed well for England? For England Ecclestone’s figures stood out — 4 wickets for just 17 runs in 10 overs. Sciver-Brunt and Charlie Dean also picked up two wickets each. Earlier in the day Sciver-Brunt’s century helped England reach a total of 253/9. Despite a shaky start with both openers out in the first 10 overs Sciver-Brunt steadied the innings alongside Heather Knight with a 60-run stand. This ton was Sciver-Brunt’s fifth in Women’s ODI World Cups — the most by any player — taking her past Janette Brittin Charlotte Edwards and Suzie Bates. Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept things tight. Inoka Ranaweera impressed the most taking 3 for 33 and bowling economically. She dismissed Knight Lamb and Capsey. Sugandika Kumari Kavisha Dilhari and Udeshika Prabodhani also picked up key wickets. At the toss Sri Lanka’s skipper had mentioned that holding England to around 200–240 would be a good result — and they nearly managed that. However Sciver-Brunt kept one end secure hitting boundaries and rotating strike even as wickets fell around her. She was eventually out on the second-last ball of the innings trying for a six. Her 117-run knock — her 10th career ODI hundred — gave England a solid score and helped secure another strong win in their World Cup campaign. Match Summary: England: 253/9 in 50 overs(Nat Sciver-Brunt 117 Tammy Beaumont 32; Inoka Ranaweera 3-33 Udeshika Prabodhani 2-55) Sri Lanka: 164 all out in 45.4 overs(Hasini Perera 35 Harshitha Samarawickrama 33; Sophie Ecclestone 4-17 Nat Sciver-Brunt 2-25) Result: England won by 89 runs.