- England overcame Sri Lanka by 12 runs in the women’s T20 international at Hove.
- After rain, the required run rate was reduced to 68 when players returned.
- England’s second game in the three-match series will be played at Chelmsford on Saturday.
- The third game will be played at Derby on Wednesday.
With Alice Capsey striking 51 runs off of just 27 balls and Mahika Gaur grabbing a wicket in her debut, England overcame Sri Lanka by 12 runs in the maiden T20 international at Hove.
With the ball, Sri Lanka mishandled it, conceded 20 additional runs, and played sluggishly in the field. England blasted six sixes and a total of 18 fours, while Danni Wyatt made 48 from 30 deliveries.
Women’s T20 international
When the rain that had earlier caused an hour’s delay returned, the tourists had made 23-0 after 3.1 overs, and when the players re-entered the field, the required run rate had been reduced from six overs to 68.
The visitors finished with a score of 55-3 when left-arm seamer Gaur, 17, got captain Chamari Athapaththu behind for 15, and off-spinner Charlie Dean trapped Hasini Perera lbw for a duck. Sri Lanka was defeated by a smaller margin thanks to Kate Cross’ 17-run final over.
Before a three-match one-day international series, England’s second game in the three-match series will be played at Chelmsford on Saturday. The third game will be played at Derby on Wednesday.
In her debut, the fast bowler Gaur aimed to catch Vishmi Gunaratne on the leg-side in her first over before the rain started to fall.
Cross made his first appearance in England’s T20I bowling lineup since December 2019, while fellow seamer Lauren Bell missed the first two games of the series due to illness.
Both games will be shown live on Sky Sports as the series continues on Saturday in Chelmsford and closes the following Wednesday in Derby.
