England Women ease to victory in opening ODI in Colombo
Wednesday 9 November 2016 15:53, UK
England Women cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka Women in the opening one-day international of their four-match series in Colombo.
The hosts were restricted to 168-7 in their 50 overs at the Sinhalese Sports Club after England skipper Heather Knight won the toss and the tourists then eased past their target with over 20 overs to spare.
Knight (2-29) and Katherine Brunt (2-35) were the pick of the England attack, although ODI debutant Beth Langston (1-23), Danielle Hazell (1-27) and Alex Hartley (1-39) all produced good 10-over spells.
The top seven in Sri Lanka's order all reached double figures but none of them could build on a solid start with Dilani Manodara top-scoring with 27.
Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Winfield started the chase with a 77-run opening stand and, despite the pair departing in quick succession, Knight and Natalie Sciver led their side home with unbeaten knocks of 45 and 47 respectively in an unbroken 82-run third-wicket partnership.
England need to win one of the three remaining ODIs against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, which are all ICC Women's Championship fixtures, to automatically qualify for next year's World Cup on home soil.
The second match of the series will be played on Saturday.
