By narenchoudhary6747@gmail.com 
Colombo, October 11, 2025 — England Women delivered a commanding performance to thrash Sri Lanka Women by 89 runs in their ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 encounter, climbing to the top of the points table with three wins in as many games. The victory was orchestrated by Nat Sciver-Brunt’s magnificent century and Sophie Ecclestone’s sensational four-wicket haul, proving once again why England remain one of the tournament’s most complete sides.
England’s innings was anchored by their skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, who played one of the finest knocks of this World Cup so far. Coming in at a critical moment after early setbacks, Sciver-Brunt stood tall with a composed 117 off 117 balls, marking her fifth World Cup century — a new record for an England player in ICC Women’s World Cup history.She started cautiously, assessing a tricky pitch that offered uneven bounce and slow turn. Partnering with Heather Knight, Sciver-Brunt built a crucial 60-run partnership that steadied the English innings after a shaky start. Her shot selection was impeccable, mixing patience with power — especially strong through the covers and straight down the ground.
While the top order provided occasional support, it was Sciver-Brunt’s composure that guided England to a fighting total of 253/9 in 50 overs. Her innings included 10 fours and one six, but more importantly, it showcased the art of pacing an innings under pressure.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers, particularly Inoka Ranaweera (3/33), were disciplined for most of the innings. However, a dropped catch of Sciver-Brunt early in her innings — when she was on just 3 — proved costly. That missed opportunity turned into a turning point as the England skipper made Sri Lanka pay heavily.
If Sciver-Brunt set up the game, Sophie Ecclestone finished it in style. The world’s top-ranked left-arm spinner bowled a magical spell of 4/17 in 10 overs, completely dismantling Sri Lanka’s middle order. Her consistency, flight, and ability to extract sharp turn from the Colombo surface left the batters clueless.
Sri Lanka’s chase began with hope but quickly turned into a collapse. Chamari Athapaththu, the Sri Lankan captain and their most dependable batter, retired hurt early in the innings after pulling a hamstring. That setback not only dented their chase but also shifted the momentum firmly in England’s favour.
Ecclestone’s breakthroughs came at crucial moments — including the prized wicket of Athapaththu after her brief return. Her tight lines and subtle variations forced the Sri Lankan batters into defensive shells. Once the middle order fell, it was only a matter of time before the hosts folded for 164 in 45.4 overs.Supporting Ecclestone, Linsey Smith (1/21) and Charlie Dean (0/29) maintained relentless pressure from the other end. Together, England’s spin trio accounted for seven wickets, underlining the team’s spin dominance.
Despite the heavy defeat, Sri Lanka showed moments of resilience. Harshitha Samarawickrama (33) and Hasini Perera (35) combined for a fighting 58-run partnership, briefly reviving the chase after the early loss of wickets. Their partnership was built on calculated risk-taking and clever rotation of strike, but once Ecclestone broke through, the resistance ended abruptly.
Captain Chamari Athapaththu, in her post-match reflection, admitted that the dropped catch and expensive final overs while bowling were costly. She acknowledged the need for improvement in all three departments — batting, bowling, and fielding — before their next game. Athapaththu’s injury will also be a concern for Sri Lanka as they continue their hunt for their first win in the tournament.
Nat Sciver-Brunt, who also took two wickets in addition to her century, was rightfully awarded the Player of the Match. In her post-match comments, she expressed satisfaction at her first hundred as England’s full-time captain and praised her teammates for their all-round performance.
“The wicket was a bit inconsistent, but I’m really happy to have contributed for my team,” she said. “The plan was to build partnerships and stay till the end. Having a set batter makes all the difference. Credit to the spinners — they bowled brilliantly, especially Sophie Ecclestone, who was just outstanding.”
Sciver-Brunt also reflected on the dropped catch that allowed her to settle. “We’ve been on the other side of such moments before. Today, luck was on my side, and I just wanted to make the most of it.”
Her leadership shone through not just in her batting but in her tactical bowling changes — introducing Ecclestone and Smith at just the right time to break partnerships.
Sophie Ecclestone’s performance reaffirmed why she’s considered one of the most feared bowlers in women’s cricket today. Her ability to maintain attacking lines while conceding minimal runs makes her a true match-winner. England captain Sciver-Brunt lauded her saying:
“To bowl ten overs straight, give away barely any runs, and take four wickets — that’s just brilliant. We’ve known since she was 16 that Sophie had something special.”
With this spell, Ecclestone also moved up the wicket-takers chart in the ongoing World Cup, continuing her stellar form from the last few years.
With this win, England Women maintained their unbeaten record in the Women’s World Cup 2025, marking three victories in three games. The team’s balance — solid batting depth, sharp fielding, and world-class bowling — has made them early favourites to make the semifinals.Their upcoming matches will test their adaptability against stronger opposition, but performances like these reaffirm that England have both the skill and temperament to handle any conditions.
The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 continues with some thrilling fixtures ahead. After this dominating display, England will look to carry their winning momentum into their next game, aiming to secure an early spot in the knockout stages. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Women face an uphill battle, still searching for their first victory in the tournament.
Fans now look forward to the India vs Australia clash in Visakhapatnam on October 12 — a blockbuster encounter that could shake up the points table further.
Final Summary
- Match: England Women vs Sri Lanka Women, ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
- Venue: Colombo
- Result: England won by 89 runs
- England Innings: 253/9 (50 overs) — Nat Sciver-Brunt 117 (117), Heather Knight 41, Inoka Ranaweera 3/33
- Sri Lanka Innings: 164 all out (45.4 overs) — Hasini Perera 35, Harshitha Samarawickrama 33, Sophie Ecclestone 4/17
- Player of the Match: Nat Sciver-Brunt (117 runs, 2 wickets)
England’s victory over Sri Lanka was a masterclass in balance and execution — combining captaincy brilliance, batting patience, and spin supremacy. Sciver-Brunt led from the front, while Ecclestone spun a web that Sri Lanka simply couldn’t escape. As the World Cup progresses, England have sent a clear message — they are here not just to compete, but to dominate.