CRICKET PREVIEW: Can Sri Lanka repeat the 2013 magic, Sri Lanka Eye Another Upset as Unstoppable England Arrive in Colombo

Colombo, Sri Lanka – As Sri Lanka faces an in-form England side this Saturday, the air is thick with the memory of one specific moment: the 2013 Women’s World Cup. In 18 completed One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against England, Sri Lanka has tasted victory only once, but that solitary win, a dramatic last-ball thriller at Brabourne, remains the pivotal moment that redefined women’s cricket on the island.

“Our lives and our cricket changed with that match,” recalled then-captain Shashikala Siriwardene. “It started with that game... I was up most of the night remembering all the little things in that match. It was only the next day that I got a little sleep.”

Since that historic upset, England has dominated, winning the last ten ODIs straight. With the English side having already dismantled South Africa (bowling them out for 69) and comfortably beaten Bangladesh in the current tournament, they enter Saturday’s fixture as the undeniable favourites. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, has just one point from a washout against Australia and an opening loss to India.

The Athapaththu Factor: England’s Game Plan

England’s strategy is clear: neutralize Sri Lanka’s greatest threat.

England opener Tammy Beaumont acknowledged the singular danger posed by the Sri Lankan skipper: “Chamari will certainly be the one we’ll be desperate to get out. It’ll be really well planned for.”

While Beaumont conceded that Sri Lanka now possesses more batting depth than in previous years, the undeniable truth remains: for Sri Lanka to topple this powerful English machine, Captain Chamari Athapaththu must play a defining role, despite her modest career numbers against this particular opposition (only one half-century in 13 innings since 2013).

England's Spinning Dominance and Knight's Form

England's bowling attack is brimming with confidence and has proven devastatingly effective. Their slow bowlers—finger-spinners Linsey Smith, Sophie Ecclestone, and Charlie Dean—have collectively snatched 14 wickets in just two matches, indicating the danger they pose on turning Asian tracks.

On the batting front, Sri Lanka must contend with the daunting form and history of England’s Heather Knight. In 11 ODI innings against Sri Lanka, Knight averages 50, a figure that jumps to an impressive 52.00 on Sri Lankan soil, where she hasn't played since 2019. Having just top-scored with 79 against Bangladesh, her experience and success in Asia make her a critical target for the home team.

Spotlight: Inoka Ranaweera

While Athapaththu dominates the planning room discussions for England's bowlers, the batting line-up for England will be focused on negating left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera. In Sri Lanka’s opening loss to India, Ranaweera showcased her wicket-taking ability, securing three wickets in one over and finishing with 4 for 46. If the Khettarama pitch offers turn, she will once again be Sri Lanka's primary weapon.

Pitch, Conditions, and Team Lineups

The Khettarama track is expected to offer turn, though humidity could also bring the swing bowlers into play. The weather forecast, typical for Colombo this time of year, suggests the likelihood of showers.

Team News: Sri Lanka is expected to continue utilizing Hasini Perera as an opener ahead of Vishmi Gunaratne. England is likely to retain their winning XI for the third consecutive match.

Sri Lanka (Possible XI)	England (Possible XI)
1 Hasini Perera	1 Tammy Beaumont
2 Chamari Athapaththu (Capt)	2 Amy Jones (Wk)
3 Harshith Samarawickrama	3 Heather Knight
4 Vishmi Gunaratne	4 Nat Sciver-Brunt (Capt)
5 Kavisha Dihari	5 Sophia Dunkley
6 Nilakshika de Silva	6 Emma Lamb
7 Anushka Sanjeewani (Wk)	7 Alice Capsey
8 Sugandika Kumari	8 Charlie Dean
9 Achini Kulasuriya	9 Sophie Ecclestone
10 Udeshika Prabodhani	10 Linsey Smith
11 Inoka Ranaweera	11 Lauren Bell

Fearsome England face underdogs SL today. The plan is simple: dismiss Chamari Athapaththu early. But don't forget the threat of SL spinner Inoka Ranaweera on a turning Khettarama pitch! #SLvENG #WomensCricket #LKA