Sri Lanka fielding woes continues as England thumps the hosts by 89 runs
I keep stating that Sri Lanka cannot compete on the world stage with players who don’t respond to easy catches because, similar to what Sri Lanka displayed against India in the lung opener, they repeated the same mistake, when the 40 year old Prabodhini dropped England Nat -Schiver Brunt the English captain when she was batting on just 3 runs, the easiest of catches, after which Nat- Sciver Brunt scores 117 in 117 balls to guide England to a one sided victory of 89 runs.
The body language of Prabodhini, the 40 year old after dropping vital catch looked blank, which proves she lacks intent, determination, and game awareness to represent Sri Lanka.
Can a 40 year old, especially with her fitness level play in a World Cup? Selectors, coach, and Chamarie Attapathu have their wires in a tangle for having old cronies in the park.
Sri Lanka had England under the pump by putting them into bat, scalped 2 wickets in the power play, and should have had the 3rd wicket of the England captain. With the total on 46, but as expected, they made a mess of given opportunities with appalling fielding.
England must be given credit despite struggling to the spin of Inoka Ranaweera, who incidentally took 3 for 33 to stitch a total of 253 after being on the back foot up until the 40th over. A target of 250 at that stage looked far-fetched.
The final over bowled by Prabodhini cost 18 runs, and England was happy with their effort, knowing that Sri Lanka had a weak batting cordon against quality bowling.
Tammy Beaumount was unlucky to be run out for 32, Heather Knight gloved a loose delivery and was out for 25, whilst Sophie Dunkly struggled to make 18 runs. At the end of the day, Nat – Schiver proved her class brilliant 117, and the 18 runs she made in the final over against Prabodhini was breathtaking. Inoka Ranaweera was the only threat that the English lassies had to cope with on a slow, dry playing surface.
Sri Lanka never looked in the hunt except the 58-run partnership between Harshini Perera 35 and Harshitha Samarawickrema 33 , got Sri Lanka to 95 for 1 wicket in the 20th over, but the introduction of the world’s best bowler Sophie Eccleston who took 4 for 17 with 5 maiden overs, put an end to Sri Lanka’s resilient effort. Eccleston was unplayable, her scalp of Chamarie Attapathu was the best ball of the match because Chamarie was exposed to her weakness against quality spin, and her footwork too was appaling to state the least.
Nilukshi de Silva made 23, but none of the Sri Lankan lassies were able to bat through the English bowling challenge which proves Sri Lankan batting depth needs a look in.
Sophie Eccleston 4 for 17, Nat – Schiver Brunt 2 for 26, Charlie Dean 2forf 47 were a treat to watch.
England now head the points table with this win. India plays Australia today, and that’s our match of the weak.