LIVE: England strike back in Sri Lanka's steady chase

ENGLAND v SRI LANKA, SCORECARD

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt led from the front with a record-breaking century as England piled on 253/9 against Sri Lanka in their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 contest.

Coming in to bat after both England openers were dismissed in the powerplay, Sciver-Brunt held her end with wickets tumbling at the other on regular intervals.

The 33-year-old compiled a run-a-ball 117 - her fifth hundred at Women's Cricket World Cups. Sciver-Brunt now holds the most tons in the tournament's history (5), going past Janette Brittin, Suzie Bates and her England coach Charlotte Edwards (4) in the tally.

The innings came on the back of an impressive Sri Lankan bowling display. After Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu had won the toss and elected to field first at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, the hosts struck early in the innings as Kavisha Dilhari ran Amy Jones out.

Her opening partner Tammy Beaumont fell soon after, with Harshitha Samarawickrama holding onto a well-judged catch at backward point, after the batter tried step out and attack.

Having lost two wickets in the powerplay, England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt would combine alongside in-form veteran Heather Knight to lead her side's recovery, bringing up the 100 for the team as the innings crossed the 20-over mark.

But just as the duo had added 60 runs for the third wicket partnership, Knight was caught by Dewmi Vihanga off Inoka Ranaweera.

Shortly afterwards, Kaveesha Dilhari held onto a brilliant return catch off her own bowling to dismiss Sophia Dunkley and Sri Lanka gave England a stern challenge in Colombo.

Ranaweera then, delivered a magnificent double-wicket maiden as Sri Lanka put the four-time winners under scanner.

It then took a partnership forging between England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and Charlie Dean to steady the ship for England. The pair added valuable 48-runs on the board before Udeshika Prabodhani struck a breakthrough to remove Dean (19).

Shortly afterwards, Anushka Sanjeewani completed another quick piece of stumping off Sugandika Kumari as Sri Lanka reduced England to eight wickets down.

However, Sciver-Brunt shifted gears towards the end of England's innings, bringing her ton with a gorgeous inside-out six before piercing four more boundaries to take England past the 250-run mark.

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Earlier, the proceedings at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo were delayed owing to wet outfield, with the flip of the coin taking place 15 minutes after the scheduled time, at 2:45 PM local time. The match kickstarted at 3:15 PM local time.

The Nat Sciver-Brunt-led England side are eyeing to go top of the table as they lock horns with Sri Lanka.

The four-time winners have clinched both of their games at the marquee tournament so far, defeating South Africa and Bangladesh to gain four points from the two outings.

Meanwhile, hosts Sri Lanka are yet to register a win, having lost to India and with their game against Australia being washed out.

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