In the ongoing 2024 U19 Women’s Tri-Nations T20 Series involving England, Australia, and hosts Sri Lanka, the match between Sri Lanka and England at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota, the hosts won the toss and elected to bat first.
Nethmi Poorna played a crucial innings, scoring 51 runs off 48 balls, while Manudi Nanayakkara contributed 30 runs, building a significant partnership of 75 runs off 80 balls helping Sri Lanka post a total of 128 runs with the loss of seven wickets on the scoreboard.
Ava Lee starred with the ball for England, claiming four wickets off 19 runs and putting pressure on the Sri Lankan batting lineup. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Sri Lanka set a competitive total.
Chasing a target of 129 runs for victory, England faced a tough challenge from the Sri Lankan bowlers. Despite Davina Perrin and Erin Thomas providing a solid start, building a 37-run partnership, England lost crucial wickets at regular intervals.
Abi Norgrove’s resilient knock of 31 runs anchored the innings, but the middle-order collapse hindered England’s chase, and losing three wickets in the death made it tough for them to reach the target. Despite Sophia Smale’s unbeaten 10 runs in the end,- England couldn’t manage to reach the target and ended with a total of 122/7, resulting in a 6-run defeat.
Shashini Gimhani was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, claiming two wickets against 12 runs as the team successfully defended their total of 128, securing a victory by 6 runs over England.
This victory marks the second consecutive win for the under-19 series, following their first match against Australia, where they defended 117 runs and secured victory by 7 runs. These victories against two strong teams showcase Sri Lanka’s formidable performance.