England’s cricket team delivered a stellar performance in the Women’s World Cup on Saturday, securing a commanding 89-run victory over Sri Lanka. This dominant display was spearheaded by an exceptional century from captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and a masterful bowling spell from Sophie Ecclestone.
England’s Sophie Ecclestone celebrates a wicket during her outstanding performance against Sri Lanka. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Sciver-Brunt was the architect of England’s innings, crafting an impressive 117 runs off 117 balls, which included nine boundaries and two towering sixes. Her monumental effort propelled England to a challenging total of 253/9. This remarkable knock marked her fifth century in Women’s World Cups, a new record in the tournament’s history, and her tenth overall in One Day Internationals.
Chasing a formidable target, Sri Lanka’s innings was stifled by Ecclestone’s brilliant bowling. The spinner claimed 4 wickets for just 17 runs, dismantling the Sri Lankan lineup and restricting them to 164 runs in 45.4 overs.
With this decisive win, England now comfortably leads the eight-team standings, having won all three of their matches and accumulating six points, surpassing even defending champions Australia who currently sit on five points.
Sciver-Brunt’s innings could have ended prematurely; she was dropped by Udeshika Prabodhani when she was just on three runs, a missed opportunity Sri Lanka would come to regret deeply.
Sri Lanka’s chase hit an immediate snag when their captain, Chamari Athapaththu, was forced to retire hurt with cramps after scoring seven runs in the sixth over, leaving the field on a stretcher. Her absence was a significant blow to their hopes.
Despite the early setback, Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama attempted to rebuild, forging a promising 58-run partnership that saw Sri Lanka reach 95/1. However, this recovery was short-lived as Sophie Ecclestone stepped in to ignite a dramatic collapse.
Ecclestone’s exceptional spin wizardry saw Sri Lanka lose three crucial wickets for a mere eight runs in just four overs. She first dismissed Perera, caught by Alice Capsey, followed by Samarawickrama, who was caught by Lauren Bell. Ecclestone then clean bowled Dilhari for just four runs, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 103/4 at the halfway mark of their chase.
Captain Athapaththu bravely returned to the crease later in the innings, but her comeback was brief, as she quickly became Ecclestone’s fourth victim, bowled by a sharply turning delivery that went through the gate.
Nat Sciver-Brunt also contributed with the ball, taking 2 wickets for 25 runs in her five overs, while Charlie Dean chipped in with 2/47 from nine overs, further solidifying England’s control.
For Sri Lanka, left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera continued her impressive form from previous matches, securing 3 wickets for 33 runs, including a pivotal double-wicket maiden over. Off-spinner Kavisha Dilhari also provided good support with figures of 1/34 from eight overs, but the regular fall of wickets prevented any significant momentum for Sri Lanka.
England’s innings concluded with Sciver-Brunt’s dismissal on the penultimate ball, but not before she had helped add a vital 49 runs in the final five overs, pushing England’s total well beyond Sri Lanka’s reach.
Earlier in the match, England had a shaky start, losing two early wickets. However, the partnership between Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight, which added 60 runs off 74 balls, steadied the ship. Knight’s innings concluded at 29 runs off 47 balls after a late review confirmed a faint glove touch on a reverse sweep attempt.
Inoka Ranaweera’s impactful 35th over saw her claim two more wickets, dismissing both Emma Lamb (bowled behind her legs) and Alice Capsey (stumped by wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani). This period saw England lose three wickets for just 34 runs between overs 30 and 40, slowing their scoring rate significantly.
The scoring rate temporarily dipped below four runs an over until Charlie Dean’s well-timed reverse sweep broke a seven-over boundary drought, reigniting England’s momentum towards their final competitive total.