EN-W vs SL-W Match Preview – England Women will look to assert their dominance early in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 when they take on hosts Sri Lanka Women at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday. The formidable English side, led by Natalie Sciver, enters the tournament as one of the top contenders, while Chamari Atapattu’s Sri Lankan team will be hoping to leverage home conditions to spring a surprise.
The match promises a classic contest between England’s well-oiled, professional outfit and Sri Lanka’s passionate and talented, but often inconsistent, side. For England, this is a crucial first step towards reclaiming the coveted trophy, while for Sri Lanka, a strong performance against a top-ranked team could provide a massive boost for their campaign.
EN-W vs SL-W Match Details
EN-W vs SL-W Head-to-Head
Historically, England Women have overwhelmingly dominated the encounters against Sri Lanka Women in the ODI format. The record underscores the challenge that lies ahead for the island nation.
Sri Lanka are yet to register their first ODI victory against England, a statistic they will be desperate to change in front of their home crowd.
EN-W vs SL-W Pitch Report
The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is known for its slow and turning pitches, traditionally favoring the spinners. The surface tends to be on the lower side, and run-scoring can be a challenge, especially against quality spin bowling. The team winning the toss will likely opt to bat first, put a decent total on the board, and then apply pressure with their spinners in the second innings. The humid conditions will also test the fitness of the players. A score in the range of 230-250 could be considered competitive on this track.
EN-W vs SL-W Weather Report
The weather in Colombo on Saturday is expected to be hot and humid with a significant chance of thunderstorms, which is typical for this time of year. The temperature is forecast to be around 29°C. There could be rain interruptions during the match, and the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method might come into play. Teams will need to be mindful of their run rates and adapt their strategies accordingly.
EN-W vs SL-W Probable Playing11
England Women: Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Natalie Sciver (c), Amy Jones (wk), Alice Davidson-Richards, Maia Bouchier, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Lauren Bell.
Sri Lanka Women: Chamari Atapattu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Rajapaksha, Hasini Perera, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Kavisha Dilhari, Sugandika Kumari, Inoka Ranaweera, Achini Kulasuriya, Udeshika Prabodhani.
EN-W vs SL-W Squads
England Women Squad: Sophia Dunkley, Natalie Sciver (C), Amy Jones, Tammy Beaumont, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Emma Lamb, Emily Arlott, Charlie Dean, Maia Bouchier, Lauren Bell, Alice Davidson-Richards, Alice Capsey, Lauren Filer, Linsey Smith.
Sri Lanka Women Squad: Udeshika Prabodhani, Chamari Atapattu (C), Hasini Perera, Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Sugandika Kumari, Anushka Sanjeewani, Achini Kulasuriya, Inoka Ranaweera, Vishmi Rajapaksha, Imesha Dulani, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Malki Madara, Dewmi Vihanga, Piyumi Wathsala.
EN-W vs SL-W Match Prediction
England Women start as the overwhelming favorites for this encounter. Their batting lineup is deep and powerful, with world-class players like Natalie Sciver and Tammy Beaumont. Their bowling attack, led by the world’s top-ranked spinner, Sophie Ecclestone, is perfectly suited for the conditions expected in Colombo.
Sri Lanka’s chances hinge heavily on their talismanic captain, Chamari Atapattu. If she can produce a special innings and inspire her team, they could challenge the English side. The spin trio of Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, and Kavisha Dilhari will also be crucial on a helpful surface.
However, England’s superior experience, depth, and professional setup are likely to be too much for the hosts to handle. Barring a significant upset or major weather interruptions, England should begin their World Cup campaign with a comfortable victory.
Prediction: England Women to win.
