In a compelling display of cricket prowess, England`s women`s team solidified their dominance at the Women`s World Cup, securing a formidable 89-run victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo. This crucial win, spearheaded by captain Nat Sciver-Brunt`s record-breaking century and a devastating spell from spinner Sophie Ecclestone, propels England to the top of the tournament standings, marking their third consecutive triumph.
Sciver-Brunt`s Resilience: A Century Forged Under Pressure
The English innings, after being put in to bat, started with an unwelcome wobble. Losing two early wickets in the powerplay, England looked vulnerable. It was then that the inimitable Nat Sciver-Brunt stepped forward. Her innings of 117 runs off 117 deliveries, punctuated by nine fours and two sixes, was not just a display of exceptional batting but also a testament to resilience.
Remarkably, Sciver-Brunt’s journey to this century began with a significant stroke of fortune. Dropped on a mere three runs by Udeshika Prabodhani, the English skipper seized her reprieve with both hands. The early lapse in Sri Lanka`s fielding would prove to be a particularly costly oversight—one might even suggest it was a `gift` that kept on giving, albeit exclusively to the English scorecard. This knock marked her 10th ODI hundred and, more significantly, her fifth in Women`s World Cups, an unprecedented feat.
Supported initially by Heather Knight in a crucial 60-run partnership, Sciver-Brunt held firm as Sri Lankan spinner Inoka Ranaweera (3/33) engineered a mini-collapse in the middle overs. Ranaweera, who impressed against India in the tournament opener, continued her fine form, momentarily stifling England`s scoring. However, Sciver-Brunt`s late flourish, contributing to 49 runs in the final five overs, ensured England posted a challenging total of 253 for 9.
Sri Lanka`s Chase: Hope Derailed by Misfortune and Magic
Chasing 254 for victory, Sri Lanka’s hopes hinged largely on their captain, Chamari Athapaththu. However, an unfortunate turn of events saw Athapaththu retire hurt on seven runs in the sixth over due to cramps, a blow that visibly deflated the home side. Despite this setback, openers Hasini Perera (35) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33) mounted a promising 58-run stand, taking the score to 95 for 1 and hinting at a resurgence.
Ecclestone`s Masterclass: Turning the Tide
Just when Sri Lanka seemed to be gaining a foothold, the world’s No. 1 bowler, Sophie Ecclestone, unleashed a spell that completely inverted the match`s momentum. Her 10-over masterclass, yielding an astonishing 4 wickets for just 17 runs, triggered a dramatic collapse.
Ecclestone extracted sharp turn and bounce from the Colombo pitch, proving virtually unplayable. She first dispatched Perera, who mistimed a slog, then followed up by removing Samarawickrama with a sharp catch from Lauren Bell. Kavisha Dilhari (4) soon fell to a ball that skidded through, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 103 for 4 at the halfway stage.
The left-arm spinner’s brilliance wasn`t yet complete. When Chamari Athapaththu bravely returned to the crease, Ecclestone delivered a sharply turning ball that bowled the Sri Lankan captain through the gate, silencing the home crowd and unequivocally derailing any remaining hope for the chase. It was a clinical demonstration of why she holds the top ranking, leaving spectators to ponder whether the Lankan batters had merely been lulled into a false sense of security before the true storm arrived.
A Comprehensive Victory and Table-Topping Performance
With Ecclestone having done the primary damage, England`s supporting bowlers ensured there was no late revival. Nat Sciver-Brunt capped off her stellar all-round performance with two wickets for 25 runs, while Charlie Dean also contributed with two wickets for 47 runs. Sri Lanka ultimately folded for 164 runs in 45.4 overs, succumbing to an 89-run defeat.
This commanding victory is England`s third in as many matches, propelling them to the summit of the eight-team standings with six points, comfortably ahead of defending champions Australia. The performance serves as a clear statement of intent from the English squad, showcasing both individual brilliance and cohesive team play. With key players delivering under pressure, England looks a formidable contender as the Women`s World Cup progresses.
