The fifth fixture of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 brings an exciting showdown as Sri Lanka lock horns with Australia on October 4th at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The action begins at 3:00 PM IST, promising a gripping clash between two sides with contrasting starts to their campaigns.
Australia, in their opening match, had a stellar outing against New Zealand. Once reeling at 128/5, it was Ashleigh Gardner’s sensational 115 off 83 balls that resurrected the innings and pushed the total to 326. Support came from Phoebe Litchfield (45 off 31) and Kim Garth (38 off 37). With the ball, Sophie Molineux (3/25), Annabel Sutherland (3/26), and Alana King (2/44) dismantled New Zealand’s chase to secure an emphatic 89-run win.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, endured a tough start against hosts India, going down by 59 runs. Opting to bowl, they had India at 124/6 thanks to Inoka Ranaweera’s superb 4/46, but India’s lower order lifted the target to 271 (DLS) from 47 overs. Chamari Athapaththu (43 off 47) and Nilakshi de Silva (35 off 29) showed resistance, but lack of partnerships saw them fold for 211.
Squads:
Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Team
Chamari Athapaththu (C), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya
Australia Women’s Cricket Team
Alyssa Healy (C), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
Players to watch out:
Nilakshi de Silva
Sri Lanka’s dependable middle-order batter, Nilakshi de Silva, played a brisk 35 off 29 against India but lacked support at the other end. A technically sound player, she can anchor innings while accelerating when required. With 976 runs from 49 ODIs, including the best of 63, her ability to rotate strike and find gaps is vital in building partnerships. She also brings utility with the ball, having taken four ODI wickets. Against a strong Australian attack, her role in stabilizing Sri Lanka’s batting will be critical.
Inoka Ranaweera
The left-arm spinner was the standout in Sri Lanka’s first outing against India. After breaking through with the wicket of Pratika Rawal, she delivered a match-turning spell that saw her dismiss Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Harmanpreet Kaur in quick succession, finishing with 4/46. Known for her control, subtle variations in flight, and ability to strike in middle overs, Ranaweera remains a crucial figure in Sri Lanka’s plans. With 81 ODIs under her belt and 84 wickets, she has the experience to disrupt even the most dominant batting line-ups.
Ashleigh Gardner
The heartbeat of Australia’s opening win, Ashleigh Gardner produced one of the standout performances of the tournament so far. Her blistering 115 off 83 deliveries against New Zealand turned a precarious 128/5 into a commanding total of 326. With her powerful stroke play — 16 fours and a six at a strike rate of 138.55 — she thrives under pressure. Beyond her batting, Gardner is a proven match-winner with the ball, having claimed 104 wickets in 81 ODIs with the best of 5/30. She is a complete package, capable of altering games in both innings.
Annabel Sutherland
The young all-rounder continues to grow into a key figure for Australia. Against New Zealand, she produced a decisive spell of 3/26 in 9 overs, including the prized wicket of Sophie Devine at a crucial stage. Sutherland’s ability to deliver breakthroughs with her seam movement makes her a strike option in the middle overs. With the bat, she has already proven her class, scoring 869 runs in 43 ODIs with a career-best 110. Her dual skill set makes her indispensable, particularly in pressure situations where she often rises to the occasion.
Pitch:
The R. Premadasa Stadium offers a batting-friendly surface with an average first-innings score around 288. However, spinners find increasing purchase as the game progresses, especially under lights. Captains winning the toss may prefer to bowl first, using early seam movement before spin takes over in the second innings.
Weather:
Colombo is expected to experience humid conditions with thundershowers and temperatures hovering near 30°C. Cloud cover could aid swing bowlers early on, with a 40% chance of rain and humidity levels peaking around 75%. A gentle 16 kph breeze may further assist the new-ball bowlers.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Chamari Athapaththu, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Inoka Ranaweera, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Molineux, Alana King
Match Details:
Date – October 4, 2025
Time – 3:00 PM IST
Venue – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Broadcast – Live streaming on JioHotstar; Telecast on Star Sports Network
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