England Women registered a clinical win over Sri Lanka Women in the 1st T20I of the three-match series played yesterday (31st August) at County Grounds, Hove.
Due to the heavy rain during the day, the game was shortened to 17-overs per side. Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and opted to bowl first in order to get some assistance from the conditions, but things didn’t work out as planned as England opening pair Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt rattled along at a rate in excess over 10 to put on a 77-run stand for the first wicket in 7.3 overs.
England’s No. 3 batter Alice Capsey kept the momentum in their side, blasting a 26-ball half-century for the hosts. Little cameos from the skipper Heather Knight (23* off 17) and Freya Kemp (20 off 10) helped England post a formidable total – 186/4 in the allotted 17 overs.
Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to control strong England batting lineup throughout the innings, particularly their most experienced bowlers Udeshika Prabodhani and Inoka Ranaweera had off-days at the office, going at more than 11 runs per over.
Sri Lanka’s target was down to 68 runs from 6 overs as the weather returned to hamper the proceedings once more in Hove. As per the DLS calculations, Sri Lanka left with a puncher’s chance specially with the belligerent skipper Athapaththu at the crease, but those hopes were diminished when she was caught behind in the 4th over for 15 runs.
Young opening batter Vishmi Gunaratne and Nilakshi de Silva tried their best with some useful contributions, but the target proved too much for the visitors to chase down as they fell 12 runs short at the end.
Brief Scores
England Women – 186/4 (17) Alice Capsey 51, Danni Wyatt 48, Heather Knight 23*, Maia Bouchier 22, Freya Kemp 20
Sri Lanka Women – 55/3 (7) Nilakshi de Silva 18, Vishmi Gunaratne 17*, Chamari Athapaththu 15
Result – England Women won by 12 runs (DLS Method)
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