SL vs ENG: Sciver-Brunt And Ecclestone Led England To Win

SL vs ENG: In a comprehensive win over Colombo, England defeated Sri Lanka by 89 runs in their recent SL vs ENG Women’s World Cup 2025 encounter. Assisted by Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 10th WODI century and Sophie Ecclestone’s four-wicket haul, England achieved three victories in three to rise to the top of the group table.

In spite of flashes of brilliance, Sri Lanka lost their second game of the tournament, holding just one point from three matches, their only consolation being a rain-out against Australia.

SL vs ENG: Sciver-Brunt Puts England on Top with Masterly Century

England’s innings was anchored by Nat Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten century, as she took the team to an imposing total of 253/7. The all-rounder registered a measured century, remaining patient on a sluggish surface and taking advantage late in the innings to step up the run rate.

Key Partnerships:

Sciver-Brunt & Heather Knight – 60 (73 balls)

Sciver-Brunt & lower middle order

England had started well, with Tammy Beaumont’s quick 32 from 29 balls in the powerplay. Sri Lanka, though, fought back in the middle overs, courtesy of Inoka Ranaweera’s spin and quick glovework by Anushka Sanjeewani, which caused a mini-collapse from 141/3 to 168/6 within four overs.

Nevertheless, Sciver-Brunt remained resolute, making a late charge with two breathtaking sixes in the last overs, reaching her hundred and taking England past the 250-run mark.

SL vs ENG: Ecclestone’s Magic Spell Wrecks Sri Lanka’s Chase

Chasing 254, Sri Lanka’s prospects received an early jolt when captain Chamari Athapaththu was stretchered off in the sixth over after suffering from cramps. Although she returned later, the psychological dent had already been inflicted.

Apart from a fleeting 58-run partnership between Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama, Sophie Ecclestone turned it entirely around after getting into the attack in the 18th over. She bowled a full 10-over spell, the world’s number one-ranked WODI bowler coming back with 4/25, destroying the Sri Lankan top order with turn, flight, and control.

Ecclestone’s Key Wickets:

Perera – Caught at mid-on

Samarawickrama – Top-edged sweep

Kavisha Dilhari – Beaten by arm ball

Athapaththu – Bowled by bat and pad with turning beauty

Her over consisted of three maidens, and when she was finished, Sri Lanka’s run chase was all but done.

Sri Lanka Show Spirit But Fall Short Again

There were bright moments for Sri Lanka in this SL vs ENG contest. Vishmi Gunaratne’s aggressive start, the middle-order resistance, and Sanjeewani’s standout day behind the stumps including two stumpings, a run out, and a successful DRS call all showed potential.

But the inconsistency and fielding lapses were expensive, particularly an important drop when Sciver-Brunt was on only 3, which ended up costing Sri Lanka more than 100 runs.