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England maintained their unbeaten run in the with a commanding 89-run victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo. The match was defined by Nat Sciver-Brunt’s brilliant fifth World Cup century and Sophie Ecclestone’s devastating bowling spell of 4/17. England posted a competitive 253/9 after being sent in to bat, recovering from a shaky middle-order collapse to set a challenging target.
Despite early resistance from Sri Lanka, including a promising 33 from Harshitha Samarawickrama, the visitors faltered under England’s relentless bowling. Chamari Athapaththu’s retirement hurt Sri Lanka’s chances, and Ecclestone’s spin proved the decisive factor. England’s consistent performance now sees them top of the eight-team table, one point clear of defending champions Australia.
Women’s World Cup 2025: Nat Sciver-Brunt shines with a tactical century for England
Coming to the crease at 49/2, Sciver-Brunt carried England’s innings almost single-handedly, displaying perfect timing and control. She shared a crucial 60-run partnership with before accelerating toward the end, adding 49 runs in the final five overs. Her innings of 117 off 117 balls included nine boundaries and two sixes, showcasing a blend of patience and aggression. Notably, she was reprieved early when Udeshika Prabodhani dropped her on three, a moment that Sri Lanka would rue.
Sciver-Brunt’s composure under pressure stabilized England’s innings, especially after the top-order wickets fell quickly. The vice-captain Charlie Dean offered steady support, allowing Sciver-Brunt to unleash her power in a late ninth-wicket stand with Linsey Smith. Her century was also a touching moment personally, with a gesture to her wife Katherine and their baby Theo in the crowd. This milestone cemented her place as England’s key batter and one of the most prolific scorers in Women’s World Cup history.
🌟 Nat Sciver-Brunt Shines! 💪
Scores a Brilliant Century Against Sri Lanka in Tough Conditions 🏏
And Claims 2 Key Wickets to Take Player of the Match Honors! 🏆🔥
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ)
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Women’s World Cup 2025: Sophie Ecclestone’s spin dominates Sri Lanka
Ecclestone’s spin wizardry dismantled the Sri Lankan batting line-up, finishing with figures of 4-17. She exploited the conditions beautifully, turning the ball sharply and varying her flight to create constant uncertainty. Athapaththu’s attempted drive ended in a spectacular dismissal, while other batters struggled to read the spin, offering simple catches. Ecclestone’s control and precision ensured that Sri Lanka never regained momentum after early partnerships. Even as Hasini Perera and Samarawickrama offered brief resistance, England’s bowlers, led by Ecclestone, maintained relentless pressure. Her performance was a textbook example of how smart spin bowling can dictate a high-stakes World Cup match. With this victory, England solidified their position as serious contenders heading into clashes against India and Australia.
💪 Dominant Display from England Women! 🏴☠️
They Cruise to Their Third Straight Win at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 🏆
Now Sitting Proudly on Top of the Points Table! 🏏🔥
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ)
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This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.