Nat Sciver-Brunt ton and Sophie Ecclestone four-for help England beat Sri Lanka by 89 runs in Women's World Cup
Updated 11/10/2025 at 20:40 GMT+1
England are unbeaten in the ICC Women's World Cup after making it three wins from their opening three matches. Their first result saw them win by 10 wickets as they defeated South Africa, before following that up with a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh earlier this week. On Saturday, they beat Sri Lanka by 89 runs to move top of the Women’s World Cup table.
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Sciver-Brunt and Ecclestone star as England go top with win over Sri Lanka
Nat Sciver-Brunt hit 117 and Sophie Ecclestone took four wickets as England cruised past Sri Lanka to maintain their perfect start to the Women's World Cup with an 89-run victory.
Despite losing both openers inside the powerplay, captain Sciver-Brunt led by example, building a partnership with Heather Knight to provide England with a strong foundation to set a big total.
However, their momentum stalled when Knight was dismissed for 29, triggering a collapse as the runs dried up as Sri Lanka spinner Inoka Ranaweera took three wickets.
Sciver-Brunt remained at the crease though and accelerated in the final three overs to pull England to 253 on a pitch which offered plenty of turn and bounce for the spinners.
Despite star batter and captain Chamari Athapaththu retiring early with cramp and Charlie Dean picking up an early wicket, Sri Lanka rallied, getting to 95-1 after 20 overs.
Ecclestone showed why she is the top-ranked ODI bowler in the world though, as she dismissed set batters Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama before running through Sri Lanka's middle order to finish with figures of 4-17.
The run-rate ramped up and victory seemed certain, but Sri Lanka's tail remained stubborn. However, Sciver-Brunt took two wickets and a catch to get the job done with four overs to spare.
Sciver-Brunt: 'I felt like I could never accelerate properly'
Nat Sciver-Brunt, speaking to ICC, said: "For me batting through, it allows other people to come in and play in different ways but I felt like I could never accelerate properly until the end."
On the unconventional shots, she said: "It's great to have them in your armoury to move the field around and put the bowler under pressure in different ways."
On Sophie Ecclestone, Sciver-Brunt said: "She's brilliant. To be able to hand the ball to her and bowl straight through is pretty special.
"From the time she came into the team, I think we knew we had something special on our hands."
On whether it is her side's best performance, the skipper said: "We probably haven't put it all together yet, but in patches we've done really well."
Athapaththu: 'We need to improve a lot'
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, speaking to ICC, said: "We bowled really good in all 50 overs but struggled a bit in the last three overs.
"We dropped one catch, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and catches win matches."
On their fielding, she said: "I feel we improved a little bit but we need to improve a lot before the next game.
"My place is opening so we had a change in the batting order so I hope we can change things and the next game is very important to us.
Sciver-Brunt: 'Scoring a century is very special'
England centurion Nat Sciver-Brunt, speaking to ICC, said: "The plan was to build a partnership with Heather. Having a set batter in towards the end is really important especially when the wicket is a little inconsistent
"The spinners bowled very well and it was turning quite a bit and it felt like scoring down the ground was my best bet."
On the baby celebration, as her wife and baby child watched from the stands, Sciver-Brunt said: "I had thought about that before, but scoring a century is very special. The first time as captain as well so I am very happy."
Result: England beat Sri Lanka by 89 runs
A match that England controlled for large parts and they take a deserved win. Sri Lanka started brightly but Nat Sciver-Brunt showed her quality as she scored 117 to guide her side to 253-9, an above-par score on a difficult pitch.
Sri Lanka showed signs of being able to pull off the chase, especially when Perera and Harshitha built a strong second-wicket partnership, but on came Sophie Ecclestone, who took 4-17 to put the game to bed before her team-mates came on to clean up the tail.
Wicket! Prabodani c Sciver-Brunt b Smith (0) - Sri Lanka 164 all out
Five overs to go, and Sri Lanka need 92. They're not getting that, but they will hope they can bat out the overs.
Ranaweera gets another single, before Prabodani drives straight to Sciver-Brunt at short cover. It's all over!
Sri Lanka 163-9 (45 overs) - Prabodani 0, Ranaweera 2
Ranaweera plays a scoring shot! She cuts to point to move on to two.
Prabodani sees out the rest of the over.
Sri Lanka 162-9 (44 overs) - Prabodani 0, Ranaweera 1
Here's Smith again as England are starting to get a bit frustrated with this final partnership.
Prabodani is more than happy to block out the over. She is on zero of 13.
Sri Lanka 162-9 (43 overs) - Prabodani 0, Ranaweera 1
A couple of wides midway through the over is the only thing to trouble the scorers. England have bowled 18 wides today. That could be an issue going forward.
It is starting to get hazy in Colombo, not sure if that is smoke or fog or something else.
Not out
Is it going down leg? There's certainly no bat.
Yes it is, the ball drifts past the leg stump on ball tracking and Prabodani survives.
England review for lbw
Dean appeals for lbw, but not given. Sciver-Brunt sends it upstairs. Why not?
Sri Lanka 159-9 (42 overs) - Prabodani 0, Ranaweera 1
Capsey again to try and finish things off. The tail is remaining stubborn though.
Ranaweera blocks out the over fairly comfortably. It's nice to see the tail keeping their discipline.
Sri Lanka 159-9 (41 overs) - Prabodani 0, Ranaweera 1
Numbers 10 and 11 in now. How long can they last?
England concede an overthrow for absolutely no reason and Ranaweera gets off the mark. The match may be won but that is sloppy.
Wicket! Dasanayaka bowled Dean (4) - Sri Lanka 157-9
Two in two! Dean bowls Dasanayaka through the gate with her first ball of the over and England are one wicket from victory now.
Wicket! De Silva c Knight b Capsey (23) - Sri Lanka 157-8
Capsey returns for a bowl now. She fires a wide down leg and Jones does well to get across and take cleanly.
But De Silva chips it straight up to Knight at short midwicket who takes a regulation catch and Sri Lanka are eight down now.
Sri Lanka 152-7 (39 overs) - De Silva 21, Dasanayaka 2
Charlie Dean is back on, and creates a chance first ball but it is dropped by Bell!
De Silva then produces a lovely drive past Ecclestone for four.
Sri Lanka need 102 off 66 balls.
Sri Lanka 146-7 (38 overs) - De Silva 16, Dasanayaka 1
Dasanayaka Kumari the next batter in, and gets a single off the final ball to get off the mark
Wicket! Vihanga c Dean b Sciver-Brunt (3) - Sri Lanka 145-7
Sciver-Brunt enters her fifth over, and gets a second wicket! Vihanga looks to flick through midwicket, but Dean takes an excellent diving catch.
Sri Lanka 143-6 (37 overs) - De Silva 16, Vihanga 3
Ecclestone's last over, but Sri Lanka look happy to see her off.
It is another very miserly over, conceding a single run.
Sophie Ecclestone ends with figures of 4-17 from her ten-over spell. The match was in the balance when she came on but she has put the game to bed.
Sri Lanka 142-6 (36 overs) - De Silva 14, Vihanga 3
Even if they can't win this, Sri Lanka will want to get as close as possible to help their net run rate. England's is looking pretty healthy thanks to the South Africa thrashing in their first match.
Three more runs off that Sciver-Brunt over
Sri Lanka 139-6 (35 overs) - De Silva 12, Vihanga 2
Ecclestone has two more overs to get a five wicket haul today. Two wickets will secure a career-best ODI figures, eclipsing the 6-36 last World Cup.
She has tormented De Silva all match, but the Sri Lankan has held firm.
Sri Lanka 136-6 (34 overs) - De Silva 10, Vihanga 1
Dewmi Vihanga comes to the middle. She and De Silva continue to rotate the strike.
118 needed off 96 deliveries is a tall order, especially when you are six wickets down.
Wicket! Sanjeewani lbw Sciver-Brunt (10) - Sri Lanka 134-6
No bat involved, what about the height?
It is hitting the wicket and Sri Lanka are now six down.
Sri Lanka review for lbw
Sciver-Brunt is back. Big shout for lbw and given! Sanjeewani reviews, and it looks close on height.
Sri Lanka 132-5 (33 overs) - De Silva 8, Sanjeewani 9
England may be completely on top here but they need to see this out. Sanjeewani cuts Ecclestone away for four, the first boundary she has conceded today.
Seven off the over for Sri Lanka, ruining Ecclestone's figures somewhat. They still have a chance here.
Sri Lanka 125-5 (32 overs) - De Silva 7, Sanjeewani 3
Bell continues with her short ball barrage and Sri Lanka's lower-middle order has no answer thus far.
A boundary! De Silva gets on top of a shorter delivery to pull for four.
That will be drinks too.
Sri Lanka 120-5 (31 overs) - De Silva 3, Sanjeewani 2
Ecclestone continues. Even by her standards this is outstanding.
Only one conceded as she continues to go at under one run an over.
Sri Lanka 119-5 (30 overs) - De Silva 3, Sanjeewani 1
Wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani is in at seven, with a mountain to climb.
De Silva is trapped in front of the stumps, but the umpire says no to lbw! England won't review, might have been creeping down leg, and a bit high. A quick look shows that it was going over.
The run rate continues to climb.
Wicket! Athapaththu bowled Ecclestone (15) - Sri Lanka 116-5
De Silva sweeps again to no avail. She is really under the cosh here against Ecclestone.
Finally she gets a sweep right but it's only for one run.
Last ball of the over, and Athapaththu is bowled through the gate! Surely that's the game there.
Sri Lanka 115-4 (28 overs) - Athapaththu 15, De Silva 1
Better from Sri Lanka, but they need to find runs at the other end too.
Not out
Height will be the only issue. Bell is a very tall bowler and that could work against her.
No bat involved. Here comes ball tracking. And it is umpires call for the wickets! Still not out but England retain the review.
England review for lbw
Four leg byes for Sri Lanka and they will be very welcome, if very fortunate.
Bell bangs in a bouncer and De Silva ducks out the way. Bell appeals for lbw, but it is given not out. England send it upstairs.
Sri Lanka 109-4 (27 overs) - Athapaththu 14, De Silva 1
None of Sri Lanka's batters have any idea how to deal with Ecclestone. De Silva tries a couple of sweeps but misses both times.
Another maiden.
Sri Lanka 109-4 (26 overs) - Athapaththu 14, De Silva 1
The required run rate has now ticked over six an over. Lauren Bell returns.
Chamari Athapaththu drives for four through cover. She will need to do that a lot more this evening.
Sri Lanka 103-4 (25 overs) - Athapaththu 7, De Silva 0
Ecclestone's figures so far are ridiculous. Four overs, two maidens, four runs, three wickets. Sri Lanka are in deep trouble.
Wicket! Kaveesha bowled Ecclestone (4) - Sri Lanka 103-4
Sri Lanka have slowed right down. They haven't scored a boundary since the 18th over.
And Kaveesha feels the pressure, trying to slog sweep Ecclestone, but misses the ball and it smashes into off stump!
Sri Lanka 101-3 (24 overs) - Kaveesha 3, Athapaththu 8
Hundred up for Sri Lanka, but they need Athapaththu to stick around towards the end if they have any chance of nicking a win tonight.
Smith has been wicketless but tidy, bowling well in partnership with Ecclestone.
Sri Lanka 98-3 (23 overs) - Kaveesha 1, Athapaththu 7
Back-to-back wicket maidens for Ecclestone! England very much back in control here.
Wicket! Harshitha c Bell b Ecclestone (33) - Sri Lanka 98-3
Another huge wicket, and it's Ecclestone again! Harshitha looks to sweep to keep the momentum going, but top-edges it to Bell at short fine leg.
And the new batter for Sri Lanka? Chamari Athapaththu is back in the middle, moving a lot better than she was when she was stretchered off.
Sri Lanka 98-2 (22 overs) - Harshitha 33, Kaveesha 1
Harshitha has been excellent today, but will she be disturbed by losing Perera at the other end?
Kaveesha is struggling to get off the mark but finally does with a single on her eighth ball.
Just three singles, but at this moment, the partnership is more important than quick runs.
Sri Lanka 95-2 (21 overs) - Harshitha 31, Kaveesha 0
Kaveesha Dilhari is the new batter in and is greeted by a ball that turns sideways to beat her all ends up.
England need to make sure one wicket brings two, but for now will have to settle for another wicket maiden.
Wicket! Perera c Capsey b Ecclestone (32) - Sri Lanka 95-2
Huge moment! Perera has to go! It is a tame dismissal as she looks to clear Capsey at mid-on but doesn't get enough on it.
Ecclestone makes the breakthrough.
Sri Lanka 95-1 (20 overs) - Perera 32, Harshitha 31
Smith returns for England. It is a tight over but Perera drives over the top, but Capsey does well to produce a diving stop to save two runs.
Twenty overs in and Sri Lanka will surely be the happier side.
Sri Lanka 91-1 (19 overs) - Perera 32, Harshitha 30
That expensive over has led to England pulling the trigger. Sophie Ecclestone is on.
Will the hosts just see Ecclestone's overs out? Two off the over
Sri Lanka 89-1 (18 overs) - Perera 31, Harshitha 29
Lovely play by Harshitha who is looking in excellent touch as she sweeps for four past short fine leg.
This partnership has been near-perfect so far and England look bereft of ideas at the moment.
And a misfield to concede another four adds to England's woes!
Sri Lanka 76-1 (17 overs) - Perera 28, Harshitha 20
Win predictor puts Sri Lanka marginally ahead at the moment. When will England turn to Sophie Ecclestone?
Better from England, but they need a wicket soon.
Sri Lanka 74-1 (16 overs) - Perera 27, Harshitha 19
England's only wicket so far has been a moment of absolute magic from Charlie Dean. Should Sri Lanka feel comfortable?
Again, Sri Lanka get a four of the final ball, as Harshitha edges past point!
Sri Lanka 68-1 (15 overs) - Perera 26, Harshitha 14
Edged to slip, but there's no slip so it will be four runs for Harshitha instead!
Capsey responds with a beauty which misses the edge, a slip now in place.
Time for a drink, and Sri Lanka are keeping this run rate in check so far.
Sri Lanka 62-1 (14 overs) - Perera 25, Harshitha 9
There is positive news from the Sri Lanka camp. They believe Athapaththu's injury is just cramp in her calf and she could return later.
A wayward Dean delivery runs down for five wides. England are already into double digits for wides whereas Sri Lanka conceded just three in their entire innings.
And again Dean drags down leg and Perera gets a touch to guide it for four on the final ball!
Sri Lanka 51-1 (13 overs) - Perera 24, Harshitha 4
The fifty is up for Sri Lanka, in 75 balls. The required rate is getting towards five and a half though.
Capsey's first over is a good one though, leaking just two runs and drawing the edge a couple times.
Sri Lanka 49-1 (12 overs) - Perera 23, Harshitha 3
Now that the field is spread, rotating the strike is crucial to keep the run rate in check. England still have ten overs of Ecclestone spin up their sleeve.
Five from that over, but Sri Lanka looked far more comfortable against Dean compared to last time.
Sri Lanka 44-1 (11 overs) - Perera 21, Harshitha 0
Perera pulls away for four! In Athapaththu's absence, she needs to step up and lead from the front.
Sciver-Brunt now fires down a couple of wides to make the over more costly than it needed to be.
Sri Lanka 37-1 (10 overs) - Perera 16, Harshitha 0
That ball was an off-spinner's dream and Vishmi was beaten all ends up. Harshitha Samarawickrama is the new batter.
This is fabulous bowling from Dean and she closes out the over and powerplay with a wicket-maiden.
Wicket! Vishmi bowled Dean (10) - Sri Lanka 37-1
Another bowling change, as Charlie Dean gets to turn her arm over.
And what a beauty to start with! She tosses it up, turns it through the gate of Vishmi and it clips the leg stump bail!
Sri Lanka 37-0 (9 overs) - Perera 16, Vishmi 10
New bowler for England, and it is the captain. Sri Lanka knock Sciver-Brunt around for a few singles to start the over.
Perera plays a deft shot, glancing the ball down to deep third for four runs to make it a good over for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka 29-0 (8 overs) - Perera 10, Vishmi 8
Nice paddle from Perera down to fine leg and she needs to get a move on to complete the second run but does so.
Other than that, it is a tidy over from Smith, conceding just three.
Sri Lanka 26-0 (7 overs) - Perera 7, Vishmi 8
Bell resumes for England. She looks much more comfortable bowling to the right-handed Vishmi.
England only have one fielder outside the ring, but it is working well as Bell joins up the dots.
But that is too straight and Vishmi squeezes a shot through two fielders on the leg side for four, before cutting through the off side for four more!
Sri Lanka 18-0 (6 overs) - Perera 7, Vishmi 0
Vishmi Gunarathne is the new batter in at 3. A right-hander to break up the string of lefties at the top of the order for Sri Lanka.
Perera sees out the rest of the over.
Athapaththu retired hurt for 7
Athapaththu swings hard towards the leg side, but only edges onto her pad. But two balls later, she is down after running a single with what looks like a hamstring issue!
The stretcher is out, and this is a huge, huge blow for Sri Lanka. The skipper is stretchered off in real pain.
Sri Lanka 17-0 (5 overs) - Perera 7, Athapaththu 6
Bell opens the fifth over with back-to-back wides. England conceded 15 wides against Bangladesh and need to improve that.
Perera uses the pace brilliantly to cut behind point for four as the Sri Lanka openers get their eyes in.
Sri Lanka 10-0 (4 overs) - Perera 3, Athapaththu 6
This is good, attacking bowling from Smith, making Athapathu uncomfortable, before she finds a release over mid-on for the first boundary of the innings.
Better from Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka 5-0 (3 overs) - Perera 2, Athapaththu 2
Lovely ball from Bell, using the angle to push it past the outside edge of Athapaththu.
Sri Lanka finally take a run off her bowling at the tenth attempt, before grabbing a quick single immediately after.
Just two more, very tight from England thus far.
Sri Lanka 3-0 (2 overs) - Perera 1, Athapaththu 1
Lindsay Smith will open from the other end with her spin. Both Sri Lanka batters get off the mark, Athapaththu a bit lucky with a leading edge that falls safe.
Slow start from the hosts so far.
Sri Lanka 1-0 (1 over) - Perera 0, Athapaththu 0
Strong start from Bell and a cautious start from Sri Lanka. A leg-bye off the second ball is all to write home about.
Second innings underway!
Perera will open and face first ball. Athapaththu at the other end.
Lauren Bell will open for England and her first ball outside off is left alone.
Here come the players for the second innings!
At the toss, Sri Lanka said that anything between 200 and 240 will be chasable. This is a bit beyond that, but not out of reach.
We will also need to keep an eye out on the pitch, which got slower and turned more as the England innings wore on.
Here come the players for the chase.
Elsewhere: India in control against West Indies after Day Two
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill both hit centuries to put India in control at the end of Day Two in the second test against West Indies.
India declared on 518-5 as West Indies navigated their way to 140-4 at the close of play, 378 runs behind.
You can watch the remainder of that Test live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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Captain Gill's 'golden run' brings up 10th Test century
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Sri Lanka need 254 to win
If Sri Lanka chase this down, it will be the highest run chase so far this tournament. Partnerships will be key, and if they can negotiate the first 20 overs without losing too many wickets, they are in with a shot.
Chamari Athapaththu will hope to continue her strong form with the bat, and could be the difference in the second innings.
But it is advantage England at the halfway stage.
Innings break: England 253-9 - Sciver-Brunt 117, Ranaweeta 3-33
Lauren Bell has one ball to do what she wants. She drives to cover and they scamper through for one.
Those last few overs have lifted England to 253, an above par score given the pitch.
Nat Sciver-Brunt is by far the star of the innings, getting a run-a-ball 117 as wickets fell around her to lift England to a competitive total.
Wicket! Sciver-Brunt c Silva b Prabodani (117) - England 252-9
Smith puts NSB on strike straight away, and she cuts for four through the gap to keep the scoreboard ticking, before finding another boundary in the same gap.
Another four! This time driven through the gap in the covers to take England past 250. But she slaps a full toss straight to long on as NSB falls for a magnificent 117!
England 239-8 (49 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 105, Smith 4
It would be a record-breaking fifth ODI World Cup hundred for Sciver-Brunt should she get there. She skies to empty grass for two.
But then plays an absolutely gorgeous inside-out drive over extra cover for six to bring up the ton! Can they get 250 now?
And that will be four more down the ground too! Here comes the big finish.
Fourteen runs from the penultimate over puts 250 very much in play.
England 225-8 (48 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 92, Smith 3
Smith drives the ball into the non-striker's stumps but Prabodhani can't get a hand on it with Sciver-Brunt well short.
Smith is doing well to get Sciver-Brunt on strike, but the skipper is looking a shadow of the player in the first half of this innings.
A heave to cow corner for three does give England seven off the over.
England 218-8 (47 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 88, Smith 1
Very much into the tailenders now as Lindsay Smith is the new batter in.
NSB is closing in on a century but will be more worried about posting a decent score for her team.
Wicket! Ecclestone st Sanjeewani b Kumari (2) - England 216-8
Sciver-Brunt drives down the ground for four! That was needed.
But two balls later, Ecclestone comes down the ground looking to attack too, but misses the ball and gets stumped for her troubles!
England 209-7 (46 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 82, Ecclestone 2
Dean faced 36 of the 64 balls in that partnership, getting only 19. Surely Sciver-Brunt needs more of the strike.
Ecclestone gets off the mark immediately as the two exchange singles for the rest of the over.
Wicket! Dean c Vihanga b Prabodani (19) - England 206-7
Finally Dean falls! Looking to break free, she scoops straight to short third. In comes Sophie Ecclestone. She knows how to swing a bat.
England 204-6 (45 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 80, Dean 18
Dean sweeps, but only gets a single to bring up the 200. England will plod along to around 230 at this rate.
The big shots are yet to come out as England take five more singles.
England 199-6 (44 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 78, Dean 15
Russell Arnold on comms believes this is the right approach for England, setting up for a big finish in the last five overs.
Lbw appeal for Sri Lanka given not out, they'll send it upstairs but ball tracking confirms it pitched outside leg.
Another tidy over from Prabodhani, the seamer doing well on a spin-friendly pitch.
England 195-6 (43 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 76, Dean 13
The scoring rate. is increasing for England but it is just singles for now. Maybe that is the best way to handle this slow pitch.
Six off the over.
England 189-6 (42 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 72, Dean 11
Dean has faced 21 of the 37 balls in this partnership as Sri Lanka return to the seam of Prabodani. Interesting call.
Just dots and singles in this over. I wonder what score England are targeting here. Is 230/240 enough?
England 184-6 (41 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 70, Dean 9
England scored 34-3 in those last ten overs. Kumari is back on for Sri Lanka.
Dean reverse sweeps and gets four after another misfield for Sri Lanka. Lucky, but can that be a launchpad for England?
Even with that boundary though, it's not enough runs at this stage.
England 179-6 (40 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 69, Dean 5
Charlie Dean can bat, but Sciver-Brunt is in on 67 and should be taking control. However, she takes a single of the second ball to give up the strike.
Another tidy over for Sri Lanka. Can they keep their composure to restrict England to a mediocre score?
England 176-6 (39 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 67, Dean 4
Good running by Dean to get two. At the moment, Sciver-Brunt is not seeing enough of the strike though.
Ranaveera finishes her spell with figures of 3-33 from her 10 overs. Now that she is done, will England target the other spinners?
England 174-6 (38 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 67, Dean 2
Six an over would get England to 250 which will be very hard to chase. They will need boundaries though.
Dean sweeps in the air but it lands safe for a single. Just two runs off that over.
England 172-6 (37 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 66, Dean 1
Ranaweera has three wickets already as she enters her penultimate over. Can she get the big wicket of Sciver-Brunt?
The ball that dismissed Capsey turned 7.6 degrees by the way. Incredible.
Three runs for England, as Dean also gets off the mark, but her job now is to give NSB as much of the strike as possible.
England 169-6 (36 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 64, Dean 1
This match has a very different feel to it now. Sri Lanka will be hoping to keep England below 250, maybe more if they can get Sciver-Brunt out quickly.
Just one run off that over.
England 168-6 (35 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 63, Dean 0
Well, well, well. A double wicket maiden for Ranaweera has swung the momentum back Sri Lanka's way.
Sciver-Brunt's role in this match becomes more and more important now.
Wicket! Capsey st Sanjeewani bowled Ranaweera (0) - England 168-6
Two in the over! Capsey falls for a four-ball duck after straying outside the crease and Sanjeewani whips the bails off!
Are Sri Lanka back in it?
Wicket! Lamb bowled Ranaweera (13) - England 168-5
Bowled round her legs! Lamb tries another paddle sweep but completely misses it.
It clips her thigh, before clipping the stump. Even if it missed, that would have been lbw.
Big boost for Sri Lanka but Sciver-Brunt remains at the crease.
England 168-4 (34 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 63, Lamb 13
More runs! NSB pierces the gap on the leg side for four more. The boundary at the top of the over gives the two batters the freedom to take singles and play things safe.
Eight more off that over.
England 160-4 (33 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 57, Lamb 11
Lamb gets her first boundary, as her reverse sweep beats the fielder who doesn't pick the spin. She follows it up with a paddle sweep which trickles for four more.
England have decided they need to attack after drinks and it is a profitable over, taking ten in total.
England 150-4 (32 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 56, Lamb 2
Nat Sciver-Brunt is the key player here. Sri Lanka need to get her out soon.
Vihanga has been much better since the change of ends and even Sciver-Brunt is struggling to find runs. The dot ball pressure is building up as the players take drinks.
England 147-4 (31 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 54, Lamb 1
Emma Lamb comes in, normally an opener but now batting down at six.
She gets off the mark with the final ball to keep the strike.
Wicket! Dunkley c and b Kaveesha (18) - England 146-4
And just as I say that, Dunkley has to go! She chips a half-volley straight back to Kaveesha who gets low and holds onto the catch!
Dunkley visably disappointed after getting herself in today, but she never looked fluent.
England 145-3 (30 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 53, Dunkley 18
The stats so far show the slower spinners are getting far more turn out of the pitch today.
After 30 overs, England are in a great position to get close to 300.
England 141-3 (29 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 51, Dunkley 16
Another misfield from Sri Lanka. It has held them back so far today.
Four more added to England's score without any real risk taken.
England 137-3 (28 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 50, Dunkley 13
NSB gets a two and a single to move to 49. Will she get her half-century this over? She needs the strike first, and she just about gets it with a quick single.
And she guides it to long on for an excellent 50! She came in with England in a spot of bother but they have an excellent platform now.
Just to remind you, she was dropped on three too.
England 132-3 (27 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 46, Dunkley 12
Lbw appeal from Kaveesha, but clearly an edge before it hit Sciver-Brunt's pad.
She and Dunkley exchange singles for the rest of the over as the partnership starts to build.
England 127-3 (26 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 43, Dunkley 10
It's a change of ends for Vihanga. Sri Lanka's dugout are using a mysterious coding system to communicate something to their team.
This is better from Vihanga, who concedes just two runs as Dunkley moves to double digits without exactly setting the world alight.
England 125-3 (25 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 42, Dunkley 9
Another bowling change, as Kaveesha Dilhari comes on - another spinner. Her first ball is driven straight back at her and ricochets off her knee.
Sciver-Brunt sweeps again and finds the gap to grab four and move into the 40s. England might be getting runs still but they have much less control now.
England 118-3 (24 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 37, Dunkley 7
A quiet over as Ranaweera restricts Dunkley and Sciver-Brunt, who was looking aggressive before that Knight wicket which has probably just halted her charge.
Just a single run conceded in that over.
England 117-3 (23 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 37, Dunkley 6
Ooh, good running by England! They take three after Dunkley scoops to deep fine leg.
A few more singles, aided in part by midfields, helps England take seven off the over. Vihanga has been expensive so far, leaking 20 runs from her three overs.
England 110-3 (22 overs) - Sciver-Brunt 35, Dunkley 1
Sophia Dunkley is the new batter in, and Ranaweera is starting to find some spin.
Dunkley takes a single off the final ball to get off the mark.
Wicket! Knight c Vihanga b Ranaweera (29) - England 109-3
This looks like it has come off the glove... Ultraedge will need to confirm.
And there is a spike as the ball passes the glove! After confirming the catch is clean, the decision is reversed!
The first Sri Lanka review was terrible, but this is an excellent one and this is a huge wicket.
Knight departs and the partnership is broken!
Sri Lanka review
Ranaweera continues for her sixth over and extracts some turn from the pitch which just misses NSB's outside edge.
Knight reverse-sweeps and the ball loops up to slip who takes the catch, but the umpire thinks there's no edge. Sri Lanka review though, with lbw also in play here.
England 108-2 (21 overs) - Knight 29, Sciver-Brunt 34
Sciver-Brunt is really attacking the leg side right now, but Sri Lanka have arranged their field well.
However, England will still be very pleased with how things are going as they take five more runs. It's not easy to bat in these hot conditions as Knight calls for a drink and a banana.
England 103-2 (20 overs) - Knight 27, Sciver-Brunt 31
Here we go! Sciver-Brunt brings up the 50 partnership in style, skipping down the pitch to drive for six over mid-on!
Another good over for England, and Sciver-Brunt is looking in great touch as she overtakes Knight and the 100 comes up for England.
England 94-2 (19 overs) - Knight 26, Sciver-Brunt 23
Dewmi Vihanga, into the side today for her World Cup debut, finally gets the opportunity to bowl, and gets away with a loose full-toss first ball.
It's not the best first over, and a short ball lets NSB sit back and pull for four. The run rate is creeping up.
England 86-2 (18 overs) - Knight 24, Sciver-Brunt 17
Sri Lanka started this match well, but the longer these two remain at the crease, the more comfortable England will feel, with their lower order firepower waiting in the wings.
Ranaweera continues to be tidy with the ball, her over bookended by two twos.
England 82-2 (17 overs) - Knight 24, Sciver-Brunt 13
Sciver-Brunt whips out her toolbox of shots once more to reverse-paddle for two more. She follows up with a square drive for four off the back foot as England look to accelerate after drinks.
Seven off that over. This partnership is building nicely
England 75-2 (16 overs) - Knight 24, Sciver-Brunt 6
Ranaweera is good to continue. Hard to tell what a par score is here, but England will back themselves to defend anything over 200, given how strong their spinners are.
Ranaweera sees out the over well, conceding just three in total.
Drinks: England 74-2 (15.2 overs) - Knight 24, Sciver-Brunt 5
Inoka Ranaweera looks like she has a little injury so that will be an early drinks break.
England 72-2 (15 overs) - Knight 23, Sciver-Brunt 5
England are starting to take more risks now, and Knight places her shot just wide of mid-on to get four more.
Other than that though, it is slim pickings as Athapaththu concedes just one more run. She has been very hard to get away so far today.
England 67-2 (14 overs) - Knight 18, Sciver-Brunt 5
Chance! Sciver-Brunt flicks straight to short-midwicket who spills it! That is a bad drop.
The singles are coming more easily for England now as Knight and Sciver-Brunt rotate strike.
How much will Sri Lanka rue that drop? Only time will tell...
England 63-2 (13 overs) - Knight 15, Sciver-Brunt 3
The camera pans to the skies where grey clouds are beginning to drift over the sun towards the stadium.
England are showing Athapaththu plenty of respect, who will be hoping to play a big role with the bat later.
For now though, she is remaining very economical, and gives away just two runs, before undoing all of that with a rank full-toss which is slapped for four down to cow corner.
England 57-2 (12 overs) - Knight 11, Sciver-Brunt 2
Another change of bowler, as Inoka Ranaweera replaces Kumari. Some good fielding off the first ball saves two runs.
Knight improvises against the left-arm spinner to scoop for two more to keep the scoreboard ticking, even if boundaries are a premium at the moment.
Five runs scored off that over. Better from England.
England 52-2 (11 overs) - Knight 6, Sciver-Brunt 2
Athapaththu continues and keeps things tidy as the field spreads, now allowed four players outside the 30-yard ring.
A couple of singles to midwicket is all England can manage in the over and the handbrake is very much on at the moment.
England 50-2 (10 overs) - Knight 5, Sciver-Brunt 1
Nat Sciver-Brunt is in at 4, and England need these two experienced heads to rebuild.
She takes a single off the first ball before Knight sees out the over and the powerplay. Sri Lanka's powerplay for sure and England have a job on their hand
Wicket! Beaumont c Gunaratne b Kumari (32) - England 49-2
There's the release shot! Beaumont drives down the ground for four, clearing the infield.
But she goes again two balls later and skies to point who takes the catch! Something had to give and ultimately Beaumont pays the price!
England 45-1 (9 overs) - Beaumont 28, Knight 5
Change of bowler for Sri Lanka now, and it is the skipper Chamari Athapaththu with her right-arm offies.
A big swing and a miss from Beaumont off the second ball perhaps shows England's frustration at the moment as the boundaries have dried up.
Knight gets a full toss off the last ball but hits it straight to cover. Just one off that over and England are under pressure.
England 44-1 (8 overs) - Beaumont 27, Knight 5
Knight finds a gap in the off side but can only get two as the sweeper gets round. Sri Lanka are starting to amp up the pressure.
They've only conceded one extra so far - a leg bye - and have just produced another tidy powerplay over. Just four off it.
England 40-1 (7 overs) - Beaumont 26, Knight 2
A fourth over for Prabodani who has largely been tidy so far.
She continues her strong spell, frustrating Knight and only leaks two off the seventh over
England 38-1 (6 overs) - Beaumont 25, Knight 1
Well-timed square drive by Beaumont through point. That will be four more. However, Kumari responds well in the rest of the over.
Big appeal for lbw off the fifth ball, but that is going well down leg. Sri Lanka review but there is no chance this is out.
And it is drifting down leg. Good umpiring decision if I do say so myself.
England 33-1 (5 overs) - Beaumont 20, Knight 1
Beaumont continues to score quickly, not bothered by the run-out as she scampers for singles and twos. She then capitalises on a drag down leg to flick for four, assisted by another misfield on the boundary.
Eight off the over as Beaumont takes a single from the final ball to retain the strike.
England 25-1 (4 overs) - Beaumont 11, Knight 0
Oh dear, England were looking so good but that is an absolute gift of a dismissal. In comes Heather Knight, the hero against Bangladesh.
There is an lbw appeal first ball, but it was comfortably outside the line.
Wicket! Jones run-out Dilhari (11) - England 24-1
Commentator Russell Arnold thinks the worst has passed weather-wise. Hopefully that will give us a full game today.
Beaumont plays a lovely paddle-sweep for four off Kumari, before following it up with a cut through point for four more. She is exploiting the fielding restrictions of the powerplay.
But is that a run-out after a quick single? Yes it is! Sanjeewani whips off the bails and Jones is well short! Suicidal running that!
England 16-0 (3 overs) - Jones 11, Beaumont 5
More disciplined by Parabodhani this over so far, as Jones struggles to get the ball through the infield.
She gets bat on every ball, but can't find a gap. Just two off the over.
England 14-0 (2 overs) - Jones 9, Beaumont 5
And Beaumont immediately makes hay, driving through the covers for four! A very eventful over which has shown that this pitch will not be easy to bat on.
Not out
Could it be sliding down leg? There's no edge.
Here comes the ball tracker, and it shows the ball sliding down leg! Good review, but a let-off for Beaumont!
England review for LBW
Left-arm spinner Dasanayaka Kumari will open from the other end. Not too much spin so far, but the pitch is already showing plenty of bounce.
She attacks Beaumont's pads and up goes the finger!
England 9-0 (1 over) - Jones 8, Beaumont 1
Jones adds to that four with two more straight away. Fast start already for England. A hint of swing on offer but not too much to trouble the batters.
Another couple of singles helps get Beaumont off the mark too. Good start for England, but some poor fielding from Sri Lanka too.
Match underway!
Amy Jones to face the first ball, Tammy Beaumont at the non-striker's end. Udeshika Prabodhani, the veteran left-arm inswinger, will take the new ball.
The first ball is edged safely to short third, who misfields the ball and it runs for four!
Five minutes to go!
We are nearly underway in Colombo! Blue skies for now, but there are some pretty murky looking clouds in the distance. It is very hot and humid today too.
The players line up for the national anthems. We are about to get started.
Sri Lanka's tournament so far
Sri Lanka opened up the tournament against India at the end of September, but have not played since. After their 59-run loss to India in a rain-shortened match, their clash with Australia was washed out without a ball being bowled.
Will the extra rest compared to England give them the edge? Or will they be rusty with a lack of match action?
Pitch conditions: spinning track expected
Both sides boast a strong and varied spin attack which will look to exploit this dry track in Colombo. Sciver-Brunt believes batting first is the better option as the pitch might slow down and crumble a bit as the match progresses.
However, the looming dark clouds will undoubtedly play a part at some point. Athapaththu thought batting first would put her side in a strong position should DLS come into play.
Sri Lanka win toss and bowl first
Here comes the slightly delayed toss, Athapaththu calls correctly and elects to bowl!
Nat Sciver-Brunt says she was hoping to bat first anyway and confirms England will field an unchanged side.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, make one change to the side that lost to India in the curtain-raiser. Spinner Dewmi Vihanga comes into the lower order for Achini Kulasuriya.
Ecclestone: "Hopefully there will be a little turn and bounce"
Sophie Ecclestone speaking to the ICC: "A great start for us and the resilience we showed in the second game was great. Heather was amazing so hopefully we will put on an easier performance today.
"I think we always expect a little bit of turn here. Hopefully when we get out there, there will be a little turn and bounce.
"We've got a few different plans to [Chamari Athapaththu], obviously she's in really great form so it will be great to come up against her today."
England's tournament so far
England are the only side left in the tournament with a 100% record having won their two matches in Guwahati in very different fashions.
First time out, they demolished a strong South Africa side, skittling the Proteas out for 69 before chasing with ease without losing a wicket.
Their victory over Bangladesh was more nervy. After being set 179 to win, England fell to 103 for six, but Heather Knight's unbeaten 79 helped shepherd them to a four-wicket victory.
Toss delayed
Great news, the weather is clearing up in Colombo! The toss is slightly delayed, and will be taking place at 14:45 local time (10:15 BST).
Elsewhere: Jaiswal ton puts India in control against West Indies
Day two of the second Test between India and the West Indies is still underway in Delhi and the hosts are in complete control. Yashasvi Jaiswal's 175 and Shubman Gill's unbeaten 129 led India to 518/5 declared while West Indies are 26/1 in response.
You can watch that match live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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'Undeniable talent' Jaiswal seals seventh Test century for India
Video credit: TNT Sports
Toss in 15 minutes (hopefully)...
The weather is looking a bit touch-and-go in Colombo at the moment with a "light drizzle" hanging around the ground at the moment.
The showers look like they might hang around throughout the day, but hopefully they will stay away for long enough to give us a proper contest!
Fingers crossed, we should be getting news from the toss in 15 minutes' time. England have won both tosses so far this tournament and have chosen to field. Will they do the same today?
Hello and welcome...
Hello and welcome to live coverage of England’s third World Cup match. They are taking on Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. England have back-to-back wins since arriving at the tournament, so victory here could help England ease some of the pressure as they try and chart a course to the semi-finals.
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Watch and stream the 2025 men’s Ashes series live on TNT Sports and discovery+. TNT Sports will also show England’s white-ball tours of New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
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