England Women’s cricket team faced a disappointing defeat against Sri Lanka, losing by eight wickets in a match held at Chelmsford. The defeat comes as a setback for the team, especially with the return of Issy Wong falling short of the high standards they have set. The loss sets the stage for a crucial decider on Wednesday in Derby.
The Sri Lankan team displayed a dominant performance, chasing down England’s total of 187 with ease. England’s batting struggled throughout the innings, with only three players managing to reach double figures. Amy Jones top-scored with 79 runs, while captain Heather Knight contributed 46 runs.
However, the target proved to be insufficient as Sri Lanka’s batters took charge. Opener Hasini Perera led the way with an unbeaten century, scoring 108 runs off just 116 balls. She was well supported by Chamari Atapattu, who scored 66 runs before being dismissed.
England’s bowling attack failed to make an impact, with only Sophie Ecclestone and Nat Sciver managing to take a wicket each. The team will need to regroup and come up with a better strategy for the series decider.
The defeat is particularly disheartening for England as it marks the return of Wong, who had been sidelined due to injury. Wong had made a strong impression in her debut series earlier this year and was expected to bolster England’s bowling attack. However, she was unable to replicate her previous performances in this match.
With the series now leveled at 1-1, both teams will be eager to secure a victory in the final match. England will need to address their batting and bowling concerns to bounce back in the decider. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be riding high on confidence after their comprehensive win and will look to carry the momentum forward.
The final match of the series will take place on Wednesday at Derby, where both teams will have a chance to claim the series victory. It will be a crucial encounter for England Women’s cricket team as they aim to regain their winning form and finish the series on a positive note.
