England stayed unbeaten in the World Cup, topping the group after a stylish 89‑run win over Sri Lanka in Colombo. The match, played on Saturday, showcased England’s batting power and sharp bowling.
Nat Sciver‑Brunt anchored England’s chase, smashing her 10th ODI century – 117 runs off exactly 117 balls – to push the hosts to a competitive 253 for 9. The confident innings sparked a solid start that kept the target clear in the attackers’ eyes.
Defending the total, Sophie Ecclestone left no doubt. Her skill in controlling the ball produced a four‑wicket haul that turned the game in England’s favour. Ecclestone’s clever variations made Sri Lankan batsmen think twice, and she took key wickets to seal the victory.
Sri Lanka’s chase began slowly, with the openers adding just 17 runs before captain Chamari Athapaththu was taken off the field in the sixth over. When Vishmi Gunaratne stepped in, she struck early boundaries against Lauren Bell, giving Sri Lanka a brief lift. But Gunaratne did not last long, falling to a sharp delivery from England’s Charlie Dean.
The Sri Lankan lineup then tried to rally. Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera built a 58‑run partnership, pushing England to 89 for 1 after 18 overs. However, Ecclestone tightened the grip. She dismissed Perera on a 35‑ball delivery and followed up by removing Samarawickrama, who ended with 33 runs. A quick wicket of Kavisha Dilhari saw Sri Lanka’s innings wobble.
England’s bowlers kept the pressure sharp. After the fall of the first wicket, the team’s pitch revealed a fast‑spin mix that rattled the remaining batters. Wickets fell steadily, and Sri Lanka collapsed to 164 for 10 in 45.4 overs, leaving the chase unfinished.
England’s innings saw solid contributions from the top order as well. Tammy Beaumont added 32 runs, and Amy Jones’s run‑out was a rare fracture in the scorecard. Sciver‑Brunt’s partnership with Heather Knight was crucial, but the run‑out of Knight helped Sri Lanka close the gap temporarily. Yet England’s bowlers turned the tide again, taking wickets quickly to seal the lead.
The game ended with England posting a total of 253 for 9, a result that vindicates their unbeaten streak and demonstrates why they sit at the top of the table. With this win, England remains a dominant force in the World Cup, while Sri Lanka faces a tough challenge ahead.
Source: aninews
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