England remain on top as Sciver-Brunt and Ecclestone star against Sri Lanka

England Women (253-9) beat Sri Lanka Women (164ao) by 89 runs.

England Women record their third consecutive win, in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, after securing an 89-run victory over Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt led from the front with a masterful 117 from 117 balls, her fifth World Cup century and the most by any player in the tournament’s history. While Sophie Ecclestone continued her fine form with figures of 4 for 17, tightening her grip as the competition’s leading wicket-taker.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first. A positive start from England saw the side 24 without loss before Amy Jones (11) was run out by a direct hit in the fourth over. Tammy Beaumont (32) added useful runs before being caught at cover, leaving England 49 for 2 in the 10th.

Sciver-Brunt, dropped on three, claimed control of the innings with Heather Knight in a 60-run stand before Knight's innings was brought to a close on 29.

The captain reached her half-century from 57 balls and went on to post her record-breaking hundred, sharing a 38-run partnership with Charlie Dean (22) to guide England to 253 for 9 from their 50 overs.

Sri Lanka started steadily at 37 without loss, but Charlie Dean struck with her first delivery to remove Vishmi Gunaratne. A 58-run partnership between Hasini Perera (35) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33) provided brief resistance before Ecclestone turned the match decisively England’s way.

The left-arm spinner dominated the middle overs, removing both Samarawickrama and returning captain Chamari Athapaththu (15) — who had earlier retired hurt with cramp — as Sri Lanka slipped from 95 for 2 to 164 all out in 45.4 overs.

Sciver-Brunt capped her all-round display with 2 for 28, while Ecclestone’s four-wicket haul confirmed another clinical performance from England’s bowling attack.

England remain unbeaten and will face Pakistan next at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday, 15 October, with play starting at 10:30 BST.

Please find POTM, Nat Sciver-Brunt's post match press conference HERE.

England's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Schedule 2025

Friday, 3 October: England Women v South Africa Women, Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati - England Women won by 10 wickets.

Tuesday, 7 October: England Women v Bangladesh Women, Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati - England Women won by 4 wickets.

Saturday, 11 October: England Women v Sri Lanka Women, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo - England Women win by 89 runs.

Wednesday, 15 October: England Women v Pakistan Women, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. 10:30BST.

Sunday, 19 October: India Women v England Women, Holkar Stadium, Indore. 10:30BST.

Wednesday, 22 October: Australia Women v England Women, Holkar Stadium, Indore. 10:30BST.

Sunday, 26 October: England Women v New Zealand Women, Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. 05:30GMT.

Wednesday, 29 October: First Semi-Final, TBC. 09:30GMT.

Thursday, 30 October: Second Semi-Final, Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. 09:30GMT.

Sunday, 02 November: Final, TBC. 09:30GMT.