The twelfth fixture of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 promises a compelling battle as England Women lock horns with Sri Lanka Women on October 11th at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The match begins at 3:00 PM IST, setting up an intriguing clash between England’s tactical precision and Sri Lanka’s flair and fight.
Sri Lanka, after a spirited start against India, fell short by 59 runs in their opening game. Opting to bowl first, they had India in deep trouble at 124/6, thanks to Inoka Ranaweera’s masterful 4/46, before the Indian lower order lifted the total to 271 (DLS) in 47 overs. In response, Chamari Athapaththu (43 off 47) and Nilakshi de Silva (35 off 29) resisted strongly, but the lack of partnerships led to a total of 211. Their next fixture against Australia was unfortunately washed out due to persistent rain.
England, meanwhile, began their campaign in dominant fashion. They thrashed South Africa in their opener, bowling them out for 69 and cruising to a 10-wicket victory. However, their second outing against Bangladesh tested their nerves. Chasing 178, England stumbled to 103/6 before Heather Knight’s composure and a slice of luck with umpiring decisions saw them steady the innings and clinch a 4-wicket win.
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
England Women’s Cricket Team
Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Tammy Beaumont, Em Arlott, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
Players to watch out:
Nilakshi de Silva
In sublime touch, Nilakshi’s recent form has been one of Sri Lanka’s biggest positives. After scoring a fluent 75 against Bangladesh in the warm-ups and a brisk 35 off 29 against India, she’s become a key middle-order anchor. Across 49 ODIs, she has accumulated 976 runs with a top score of 63, alongside 4 wickets, proving her all-round worth.
Udeshika Prabodhani
The seasoned left-arm pacer continues to lead from the front with her new-ball spells. She claimed 1/26 against Bangladesh and 2/55 versus India, dismissing both Smriti Mandhana and Amanjot Kaur. With 38 wickets in 71 ODIs and a best of 3/35, her ability to strike early could shape Sri Lanka’s bowling fortunes.
Tammy Beaumont
Despite a quiet start to the tournament, Beaumont’s class remains unquestioned. After modest scores of 0 and 8 in the warm-ups, she managed 21 and 13 in the tournament’s first two games. With 4,562 runs in 134 ODIs and a career-best 168*, her experience and shot selection make her a potential match-turner at the top of the order.
Lauren Bell
A rising pace talent, Bell’s control and bounce have been key to England’s dominance with the ball. She registered 1/33 vs India and 2/46 vs Australia in the warm-ups, followed by 1/24 and 1/28 in the first two fixtures. Having already picked 40 wickets in 26 ODIs with a best of 5/37, she remains England’s spearhead in helpful conditions.
Pitch:
The surface at the R. Premadasa Stadium is traditionally favorable for batters early on, with an average first-innings score of around 288. However, as the match progresses, spinners find more purchase, especially under lights. Teams winning the toss may prefer to bowl first, looking to exploit early swing and chase later under stable evening conditions.
Weather:
Colombo is expected to experience partly cloudy skies with light showers possible during the afternoon. Temperatures will hover around 30°C with 75% humidity, and a gentle 13 kph breeze could aid swing bowlers early on. There’s around a 30% chance of rain, potentially leading to brief interruptions.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Chamari Athapaththu, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Inoka Ranaweera, Udeshika Prabodhani, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amy Jones, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Linsey Smith
Match Details:
Date – October 11, 2025
Time – 3:00 PM IST
Venue – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Broadcast – Live on Star Sports Network | Streaming on JioCinema
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