Set a target of 254, the biggest crowd the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo has seen in this Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 so far, loyally chanted “Chamari.. Chamari.. Kurunegala (her hometown)…”, pinning their hopes on the nation’s talisman Chamari Athapaththu to register a famous win against England and their first victory of the tournament.
Alas, it was not to be.
Sophie Ecclestone spun a web around Sri Lanka, plugging the run flow and taking regular wickets, including the prized scalp of the captain, to help England stay unbeaten with an 89-run win.
There was early drama with Athapaththu going down with a cramp and being stretchered off, drawing a collective gasp from those in attendance. While Vishmi Gunaratne fell cheaply, Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama’s 58-run stand offered hope.
Ecclestone was introduced in the 19th over and paired up with Charlie Dean to wreak havoc. Sri Lanka lost its four main batters – including Athapaththu, who returned in a bid to carry the innings to the end – for just 21 runs, all to Ecclestone. A sulking Athapaththu could only watch helplessly as the chase dragged out to its disappointing end.
Opting to field after a morning laced with intermittent drizzles, Athapaththu played to her team’s strength – its bowling. While bowlers largely maintained neat lines and lengths, the fielding left much to be desired.
AS IT HAPPENED: England vs Sri Lanka Highlights
With the openers sent back in the PowerPlay, a steady 60-run stand between Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt frayed the nerves of the Lankans. Sciver-Brunt led the charge, aided by a reprieve from Udeshika Prabodani at midwicket with just three runs to her name.
It proved costly as the all-rounder registered her fifth ODI World Cup ton, the most in the tournament’s history, stitching small partnerships along the way to carry England to a respectable score, which proved more than sufficient.
The cradle celebration dedicated to her baby Theo, with partner and England great Katherine Sciver-Brunt in the stands, was the icing on top!
The scores:
England 253/9 in 50 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 117, Tammy Beaumont 32, Inoka Ranaweera 3/33) bt Sri Lanka 164 in 45.4 overs (Hasini Perera 35, Harshitha Samarawickrama 33, Sophie Ecclestone 4/17); Toss: Sri Lanka; PoM: Sciver-Brunt.
Published on Oct 11, 2025
