Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field, leaving Claire Taylor and Danni Hazell to open the batting for England, on the slow, damp wicket.
Hazell was bowled out for three in the fifth over by Wickramasinghe, next in was Jenny Gunn. Taylor and Gunn had an impressive partnership of 88, with Taylor showing she is well and truly back, by hitting eight boundaries and a maximum to top score for England with 70 off 53 balls. Taylor was eventually caught out in over 16 by Weerakkody. Gunn, who also showed good form, picked up four boundaries before being caught by wicket keeper Surangika, leaving England on three for 121. Beth Morgan continued to be quick between the wickets to add on 15, but no such luck for Lydia Greenway and Sarah Taylor. Greenway was run-out for two by Seneviratna and Sarah Taylor was trapped leg before wicket by Rasangika for two. Laura Marsh partnered Morgan for the final two overs and added an impressive 24 runs off nine balls, hitting the boundary four times to close the innings for England on 160.
After the interval, which included a light shower, England gave a dynamic performance and dominated the field. Claire Taylor caught out De Silva at mid-wicket off the first ball of the innings, off a delivery by Marsh. Wickets were spread around with Katherine Brunt trapping Lokusuriyage leg before wicket, followed by Nicky Shaw bowing out Dolawatte for seven to leave Sri Lanka on three for 27. Claire Taylor continued her form to claim the run-out of Atapattu, then Gunn took a diving catch at mid-on to dismiss Galagedara. Then followed a middle order collapse for Sri Lanka, Holly Colvin bowled and caught Alwis then moments later Fernando went the same way to the hands of Hazell.
Top scorer for Sri Lanka, Rasangika could only manage to add on 22 before being caught by Shaw at short third-man off a ball from left arm spinner Colvin, leaving Sri Lanka on eight for 64. England then finished the job with the run-out of Seneviratna and the stumping of Surangika, to win the game by 79 runs with Sri Lanka all out for 81.
After the game Charlotte Edwards said: ‘I’m really pleased how the two warm up games have gone, everyone has had a run out. The girls are ready and raring to go now for Wednesday. Its always great to play the Aussies, we had the best of them in the last World Cup but I’m sure they are going to come hard at us on Wednesday, its going to be a fantastic game.’
England play their first group game of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 against Australia, on Wednesday May 5, at Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts.
