Colombo: England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt once again rose to the occasion, scoring a sublime 117 off 117 balls — her record fifth century in Women’s World Cup history — to guide her team to a competitive 253/9 against Sri Lanka on Saturday.
Despite Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Inoka Ranaweera and Kavisha Dilhari, Sciver-Brunt’s innings stood tall amid regular wickets, keeping England on track for their third successive win in the tournament.
At the R. Premadasa Stadium, where India’s 247 against Pakistan remains the highest total of the tournament so far, England’s 253 looks promising as they aim to climb to the top of the standings.
Sciver-Brunt’s Masterclass Under Pressure
Dropped early on three by Udeshika Prabodhani at midwicket, Sciver-Brunt made Sri Lanka pay heavily for the miss. The England skipper went on to dominate with elegant stroke play, peppering the boundary nine times and clearing it twice.
She brought up her 26th ODI fifty from 57 deliveries and later reached her 10th career century — and a record fifth in Women’s World Cups — with a breathtaking lofted six over extra cover off Sugandika Kumari.
Her brilliant knock ended off the penultimate delivery of the innings, but not before she ensured England added 49 runs in the final five overs, giving their total a significant boost.
Sri Lanka’s Spinners Strike Back
England, put in to bat, lost two quick wickets inside the Powerplay before Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight (29 off 47) steadied the innings with a 60-run stand off 74 balls.
However, Sri Lanka’s spin attack, led by the experienced Inoka Ranaweera (3/33), kept chipping away. Her spell included a stunning double-wicket maiden that halted England’s momentum in the middle overs.
Inoka first bowled Emma Lamb (13) behind her legs with a dipping delivery, before removing Alice Capsey (stumped by Anushka Sanjeewani) after deceiving her with flight and drift.
Earlier, a dramatic late review saw Knight’s reverse sweep pop up to slip — Sri Lanka took their final review with just one second left on the clock, and replays confirmed a faint glove touch. The wicket shifted momentum firmly Sri Lanka’s way.
Kavisha Dilhari (1/34) also bowled economically and claimed Sophia Dunkley (18) with a sharp return catch. Between overs 30 and 40, England lost three wickets for just 34 runs, and their run rate dipped below four an over until Charlie Dean’s reverse sweep broke a seven-over boundary drought.
Despite the middle-order collapse, Sciver-Brunt’s poise and power ensured England posted a defendable total — one that could well prove decisive in Colombo’s turning conditions.
Nat Sciver-Brunt Smashes Record Fifth Women’s World Cup Century As England Set 253 Against Sri Lanka
