England crush Sri Lanka to take WODI series 2-0

Saturday, 16 September 2023 00:51 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

England’s Charlie Dean claimed her maiden five-for

England’s acting Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt hits down the ground

LEICESTER: Nat Sciver-Brunt scored England women’s fastest one-day international century as the hosts thrashed Sri Lanka by 161 runs to secure a 2-0 series victory in the three-match ODI series on Thursday.

Sciver-Brunt surpassed Charlotte Edwards’ 70-ball effort by reaching the milestone from 66 balls in Leicester.

In a rain-affected encounter, England posted an imposing 273-8 from their 31 overs, with Maia Bouchier adding 95. Charlie Dean then took 5-31 and Lauren Filer claimed 3-30 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 112 off 24.5 overs.

After England slipped to 18-2, Sciver-Brunt and Bouchier led an emphatic recovery by adding 193 together from just 121 balls – England’s highest ODI partnership against Sri Lanka.

Sciver-Brunt, standing in as Captain in her 100th ODI in the absence of the unwell Heather Knight, smashed her third ODI century in her last four innings before falling for 120 off just 74 deliveries.

Sri Lanka buckled under the pressure of attempting to pull off their highest ODI chase, with England bouncing back strongly from their shock T20 series defeat.

Sri Lanka’s bowling was poor here, the gulf in class between the sides in the longer format glaring, but Sciver-Brunt provided her team-mates with a masterclass in how to play spin. She hit 18 fours and one six in her magnificent knock, beating former Captain Edwards’ record set against New Zealand in 2012 with a nudge off her pads to also complete her eighth ODI century. Sri Lanka’s task was always going to require something miraculous, and their hopes lay on the shoulders of Captain Chamari Athapaththu.

Dean’s first two overs were expensive but the crucial scalp of Athapaththu, pinned lbw for 12, sparked a stunning spell that included three wickets in one over. Sri Lanka’s reliance on Athapaththu can work for them in T20, as they proved in the 2-1 victory over England, but that rarely brings success in the 50-over format where teams’ skills are tested for longer.

Despite the heavy defeat, Sri Lanka will leave the tour in good spirits having shown massive improvements in T20s - achieving a result in that series few would have predicted before the tour began.

Sri Lanka Captain Chamari Athapaththu said: “Tough conditions and a tough day at the office. We need to improve our batting, shot selection and be patient in this format. We can’t blame the conditions and have to be fearless every time.”

Scores: England Women 273-8 (31) (Maia Bouchier 95, Nat Sciver-Brunt 120, Bess Heath 21, Kavisha Dilhari 3.42)

Sri Lanka Women 112 (24.5) (Hasini Perera 32, Lauren Filer 3/30, Charlie Dean 5/31)