Womens ODI World Cup: Sciver-Brunt, Ecclestone assist England preserve unbeaten run

With a goal of 254, the R. Premadasa Stadium, internet hosting its largest crowd of the event, erupted in chants of “Chamari, Chamari” putting their hopes squarely on the shoulders of nationwide talisman Chamari Athapaththu to ship a well-known win towards England and safe Sri Lanka’s first victory of the marketing campaign.

Alas, it was to not be.

Sophie Ecclestone spun an internet round Sri Lanka, plugging the run circulation and taking wickets, together with the prized scalp of the captain, to assist England keep unbeaten with an 89-run win.

There was early drama with Chamari taking place with a cramp and being stretchered off, drawing a collective gasp from these in attendance. While Vishmi Gunaratne fell cheaply, Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama’s 58-run stand provided hope.

Ecclestone was launched within the nineteenth over and paired up with Charlie Dean to wreak havoc. Sri Lanka misplaced its 4 primary batters — together with Chamari, who returned in a bid to hold the innings to the top — for simply 21 runs, all to Ecclestone. A sulking Chamari might solely watch helplessly because the chase dragged out to its disappointing finish.

Opting to discipline after a morning laced with intermittent drizzles, Chamari performed to her group’s energy — its bowling. While the bowlers largely maintained neat strains and lengths, the bottom fielding left a lot to be desired.

With the openers despatched again within the PowerPlay, a gentle 60-run stand between Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt frayed the nerves of the Lankans. Sciver-Brunt led the cost, aided by a reprieve from Udeshika Prabodani at midwicket with simply three runs to her title.

It proved pricey because the all-rounder registered her fifth ODI World Cup ton, probably the most within the event’s historical past. She stitched small partnerships alongside the way in which to hold England to a rating, which proved greater than enough.

The cradle celebration of Sciver-Brunt, devoted to her child Theo, with associate and England nice Katherine Sciver-Brunt within the stands, was the icing on high.

The scores: England 253/9 in 50 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 117, Tammy Beaumont 32, Inoka Ranaweera 3/33) bt Sri Lanka 164 in 45.4 overs (Hasini Perera 35, Harshitha Samarawickrama 33, Sophie Ecclestone 4/17). Toss: Sri Lanka; PoM: Sciver-Brunt.