The twelfth fixture of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 sets the stage for another enthralling showdown as Sri Lanka Women lock horns with England Women on October 11th at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The contest begins at 3:00 PM IST, promising an electrifying evening under the Colombo lights — with England aiming to extend their winning streak, while Sri Lanka seek to reignite their campaign in front of passionate home supporters.
Form Guide – Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s tournament so far has been a stop-start affair. After a spirited display in their opening clash against India, their momentum was disrupted by rain in the encounter with Australia. Under the inspirational leadership of Chamari Athapaththu, and with emerging stars like Harshitha Samarawickrama and Vishmi Gunaratne displaying grit and flair, the islanders will be eager to produce a defining performance on home soil.
Their preparation leading up to the tournament, however, reflected inconsistency. A washed-out warm-up against Pakistan was followed by a heartbreaking one-run defeat to Bangladesh, underlining their struggle to close out tight games. Earlier in May, Sri Lanka participated in a Tri-Nation Series with India and South Africa — a campaign that mixed potential with missed opportunities.
Despite notable wins over both opponents, they faltered in key moments, suffering a 97-run defeat to India in the final. Their path read: a 9-wicket loss to India, a 5-wicket win over South Africa, a 3-wicket victory against India, followed by a 76-run loss to South Africa, and then that disappointing final.
Form Guide – England
England, in contrast, have looked sharp and composed. They opened their World Cup journey with a 10-wicket demolition of South Africa, followed by a tense win over Bangladesh — a match that tested their nerves until Heather Knight’s poise and Nat Sciver-Brunt’s calm leadership guided them across the line. Blending seasoned campaigners with promising youngsters, England enter this clash as strong favourites, though they remain cautious of Sri Lanka’s unpredictable flair.
The year 2025 has marked a new era for England Women — one of transition and evolution. After a 0–3 Ashes setback earlier in the year, Heather Knight stepped aside as captain, handing over the reins to Nat Sciver-Brunt under the mentorship of Charlotte Edwards, signalling a bold new direction.
Since then, England have balanced dominance with moments of reflection: a 3–0 clean sweep of West Indies showcased their depth, while a 2–1 defeat to India in July exposed areas for refinement. Their World Cup warm-ups, though, were emphatic — thrashing India by 152 runs and successfully chasing 248 against Australia, proving they remain a formidable force across conditions.
Head-to-Head:
- Total Matches – 20
- Sri Lanka Wins – 1
- England Wins – 17
- No Results – 2
England’s dominance in this rivalry is clear, having triumphed in 17 of the 20 ODIs contested between the two sides. The last time they met, during Sri Lanka’s tour of England in September 2023, the hosts clinched a 2–0 series victory, with one match washed out — a reminder of the gulf that Sri Lanka will aim to narrow when they meet again under the lights in Colombo.
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