SL-W vs ENG-W, Women’s World Cup 2025: Chamari Athapaththu and Co seek first win vs high-flying England

Sri Lanka have only beaten England once in 20 ODI matches.

Sri Lanka will look to bag their first win of the Women’s World Cup 2025 when they face off against England on Saturday. Chamari Athapaththu’s side have a solitary point after 2 games, thanks to a wash out against Australia. In England, they face an unbeaten side, and a challenge to keep their campaign alive.

Sri Lanka aim to turn potential into points

Sri Lanka are yet to arrive at the tournament. While the Lankans have shown glimpses of their potential but fell well short of their rivals A lucky point against Australia now offers Athapaththu’s side a chance to regroup and get their strengths back.

Backed by Inoka Ranaweera’s 4-fer, they had reduced India to 124/6. However, India bounced back to post 269, a target too steep after Chamari’s dismissal early in the chase. Nilakshi de Silva offered some resistance but lacked the support they needed. The Australia wash out meant that Sri Lanka are still in search for answers. A 10-day gap could have helped them iron out some key flaws in their set up.

England will be a different challenge, who have clinched victories in both their matches. Heather Knight’s side bowled South Africa out for 69, before a nervy chase over Bangladesh. Sri Lanka will look at that Bangladesh result and hope to better it and bag the 2 points. The Lankans have not beaten England in their last 10 ODIs, and a World Cup is no better time to reverse that streak.

SL-W vs ENG-W Predicted XIs

Sri Lanka Women: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoka Ranaweera

England Women: Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones (wk), Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell

Colombo pitch report

Pace has been central to wins at Colombo in the Women’s World Cup 2025 so far. In India’s win over Pakistan, it was Kranti Gaud and Renuka Thakur that starred and guided them to victory. That said, spin will also come into play with not a lot of runs on offer. India’s 247 has been the highest at the venue in the tournament, and anything in excess of 220 will be competitive.