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New Delhi: England registered their third victory in the ongoing Women's ODI World Cup as they defeated co-hosts Sri Lanka by 89 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday, October 11. Sri Lanka won the toss and invited England to bat first. England made 259 runs for 9 wickets in the stipulated 50 overs, courtesy of skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt's sensational ton.
In response, the co-hosts bundled out for just 164 runs, as their top-scorer in the run chase was opener Hasini Perera, who made just 35 runs off 60 deliveries. Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped four wickets and gave just 17 runs in 10 overs with a brilliant economy of just 1.70.
Sri Lanka were pretty much comfortable in the run chase until Ecclestone came into the bowling attack in the 19th over of the innings. The co-hosts were 89/1 until Eccleston's havoc came. The left-arm spinner changed the trajectory of the match, and at one point in time, she gave just six runs in her seven overs and scalped four wickets, including three maiden overs.
Sciver-Brunt and Charlotte Dean picked up two wickets each and supported well in the bowling attack. Sri Lanka's star batter Chamari Athapathu suffered an injury early in the innings and was forced to retire hurt from the game. But she came back to the crease but couldn't change the fortunes of the co-hosts as she was dismissed for 18 runs.
With the victory over Sri Lanka, England are now the table-topper of the ongoing Women's ODI World Cup after winning three out of three games.
England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt was dropped on just three runs by Udeshikha Prabodhani and never turned back as she smashed a match-winning century. She made full use of the lifeline and scored 117 runs off 117 deliveries, including nine boundaries and two maximums.
Apart from Sciver-Brunt, England's top scorer was Tammy Beaumont with 32 runs. The skipper held one end and kept putting pressure on Sri Lankan bowlers with her aggressive cricket. England posted a respectable total against the co-hosts after Sciver-Brunt recorded her 10th ODI ton in her career.
