England powered their way to a comprehensive victory in the first ODI of their three-match series in Sri Lanka.
A brilliant 93 from Nat Sciver – alongside 79 from Amy Jones and 61 from captain Heather Knight – saw England amass 331-7 from their 50 overs, the highest women’s ODI total ever scored in Sri Lanka.
Jones got England off to a great start alongside Tammy Beaumont (35) before the pair were dismissed with 118 on the board, but Knight, Sciver and latterly Danni Wyatt (47) ensured England passed 300.
The hosts required something extraordinary to stay in the game with such an imposing total on the board but early wickets ended the game as a contest inside the first 10 overs.
Katherine Brunt took three and Anya Shrubsole one to rip the heart out of the Sri Lankan reply.
A brave eight-wicket partnership and a rain delay held England up – although there was time for Kate Cross to nab two wickets – but Sri Lanka ended on 155-8, giving the visitors a 154-run (DL) victory.
Nat Sciver: “We’re really happy to get the series started with the win and we’re really happy with the performance.
“Amy and Tammy started very well at the top and got us going with that partnership. Amy was massively unlucky in how she got out but then Heather and Danni came in and and were great in helping get us up over 300.
“I was a little bit disappointed not to reach 100 but more importantly I was able to help us get to a good total and we knew that would be a lot of runs to chase.
“The bowlers started brilliantly and it’s nice to get our fifth win in a row and to get ourselves two ICC Women’s Championship points. We’re back here for the second ODI on Monday so hopefully we can replicate that performance.”
Courtesy of the ECB
