With an impressive demonstration of cricketing skill, England Women secured a triumphant win over Sri Lanka Women during the third One-Day International (ODI) in the 2023 Sri Lanka Women’s tour of England and sealed the three-match ODI series 2-0.
England Women won the toss and elected to bat first, setting up a formidable score of 273/8 in their allotted 31 overs. The innings didn’t start well as Tammy Beaumont got dismissed early for just 2 runs. However, Maia Bouchier played an outstanding innings, scoring 95 runs off 65 deliveries, which included 12 fours and 2 sixes. Her effort set the stage for a sensational exhibition of batting by the England squad.
The highlight of the match was Natalie Sciver’s stunning century. Sciver’s spectacular innings of 120 runs off 74 balls included 18 boundaries and a six. It became the fastest century ever scored by an English woman in ODI cricket, breaking a record that had stood for 11 years, previously held by Charlotte Edwards.
Sri Lanka Women faced a hard challenge in response to England Women’s imposing score. Their innings were troubled by recurrent wicket losses, making it difficult for them to create momentum. Hasini Perera was the top scorer for Sri Lanka Women, scoring 32 runs off 24 balls, including 6 boundaries. However, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, and their innings closed at 112/10 in 24.5 overs.
The bowlers from England Women demonstrated excellent skill and discipline, with Charlotte Dean leading the way by grabbing a spectacular five-wicket haul while giving just 31 runs in her 6 overs. Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, and Sarah Glenn also made key contributions with the ball.
England Women scored a convincing victory, defeating Sri Lanka Women by a large margin of 161 runs. Nat Sciver’s remarkable effort with the bat earned her the well-deserved honor of Player of the Match, and in the process, she set a new standard for ODI centuries by English batters. With this overwhelming win over Sri Lanka, England also sealed the three-match ODI series 2-0.
