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Nat Sciver-Brunt’s record ODI century makes waves England won by 89 runs Sri Lanka In Colombo.
The England captain became the first batsman in Women’s World Cup history to score her fifth century as she scored a brilliant 117 runs off as many balls.
Sciver-Brunt’s innings helped England reach 253 for nine in 50 overs, before Sophie Ecclestone bowled brilliantly, taking four for 17, as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 164.
This is England’s third consecutive win and they have reached the top of the table, while Sri Lanka has not got any win.
Sciver-Brunt was dismissed by Udeshika Prabodhani for three and that mistake came back to haunt the hosts.
England’s top order had cameos tammy beaumont (32 from 29 balls) and Heather Knight (29 from 47) both contributed, while Enoka Ranaweera led Sri Lanka’s attack with figures of three for 33 in 10 overs.
But when she reached 10th grade, Sciver-Brunt led the way ODI A century – only the fifth woman to do so – off 110 balls.
He put England in the driving seat by hitting two sixes as well as a hat-trick of consecutive fours in the last over.
Commenting on her match-winning innings, Beaumont said of Sciver-Brunt: “She’s absolutely unbelievable. She doesn’t feel pressure when she’s batting.
“She started aggressively when the ball was skidding and then kept her composure and changed the lower order. It shows how good she is and how lucky we are to have her in the team.”
In reply, Charlie Dean dismissed Vishami Gunaratne (10) with his first ball. Sri Lanka steadied the ship to 95 for one before Ecclestone dismantled the top order.
Hasini Perera (35), Harshitha Samarawickrama (33), Kavisha Dilhari (four) and Chamari Athapaththu (15) were overwhelmed by Ecclestone’s excellence.
After this, Sciver-Brunt took the ball and trapped Anushka Sanjivani LBW, due to which Sri Lanka lost six wickets and remained 100 runs short of its target.
Sciver-Brunt claimed his second victim when he removed Deumi Vihanga after a brilliant catch by Dean, who finished the evening with two wickets after clean bowling Sugandika Dassanayaka.
England will play Pakistan on Wednesday before additional group tests against India, Australia and New Zealand.