Postpublished at 20:15 British Summer Time 6 September 2023
Alison Mitchell
Cricket commentator on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two
England don't have many runs to play with so wickets are their currency.
Summary
Sri Lanka win series against England for first time
Athapaththu (44) top-scores in composed run-chase
England lose regular wickets to Sri Lanka's spinners
Hosts' innings littered with poor shots and a calamitous run-out
Wyatt falls to first ball of innings, Capsey run-out
Three-match ODI series follows - first game in Durham on Saturday
Postpublished at 20:15 British Summer Time 6 September 2023
Sri Lanka reviewpublished at 10.4 overs
SL 84-3
Kate Cross raps Vishmi Gunaratne on the pad and the umpire raises the finger.
Reviewed. This might be tight.
Postpublished at 20:12 British Summer Time 6 September 2023
England were thankful to see the back of her. Alice Capsey took that all-important wicket.
But the home side will surely have to bowl Sri Lanka out to win this, they need another eight wickets to do that...
Postpublished at 20:11 British Summer Time 6 September 2023
The chief reason Sri Lanka are so far ahead of the rate? Chamari Athapaththu.
The Sri Lanka skipper was imperious at the top of the order.
SL 83-2published at 10 overs
Target 117
Harshitha Samarawickrama gets two with a sweep off Sarah Glenn.
She gets two more when a direct hit send the ball into a gap in the field, allowing an overthrow.
A fine sweep brings the third two of the over before a single ends it. Sri Lanka in control with just 34 more needed.
Postpublished at 20:08 British Summer Time 6 September 2023
Now, that's a sunset!
Image source, PA MediaPostpublished at 20:07 British Summer Time 6 September 2023
Isa Guha
Former England bowler on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ TwoWe haven't had a boundary for a while.
SL 76-2published at 9 overs
Need 41 from 66 balls
Harshitha Samarawickrama and Vishmi Gunaratne out there for Sri Lanka with just a little bit of pressure building.
Alice Capsey is frustrated after giving the tourists a couple of freebies with wides down the leg side.
Four from the over but that will do it for Sri Lanka.
Postpublished at 20:04 British Summer Time 6 September 2023
Russel Arnold
Former Sri Lanka all-rounder on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Test Match SpecialBack-to-back wickets is not what Sri Lanka needed. England will start sniffing.
Postpublished at 20:04 British Summer Time 6 September 2023
Isa Guha
Former England bowler on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ OneSanjeewani did not need to play that shot.
WICKETpublished at 8 overs
Sanjeewani c Capsey b Glenn 20 (SL 71-2)
Needless shot!
Even after the first wicket, Sri Lanka were ticking over nicely with singles but Anushka Sanjeewani goes looking for a boundary.
The opener attempts to hit Sarah Glenn over mid-off, doesn't time it at all and the ball goes gently to Alice Capsey.
England are back in the hunt.
Postpublished at 20:02 British Summer Time 6 September 2023
Georgia Elwiss
England all-rounder on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Test Match SpecialIt's just four an over for Sri Lanka. They don't need to do anything risky.
Heather Knight is going to have to make a decision at some point to do something differently.
SL 67-1published at 7 overs
Target 117
Good over from Alice Capsey, it costs nine runs but that's a price worth paying for the wicket of Chamari Athapaththu.
England have given themselves a glimmer of hope.
Postpublished at 19:59 British Summer Time 6 September 2023
Georgia Elwiss
England all-rounder on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Test Match SpecialEngland just need to squeeze, build as much pressure as possible and hope for a flurry of wickets.
Postpublished at 19:59 British Summer Time 6 September 2023
Isa Guha
Former England bowler on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ OneThat is the opening that England needed! They will now feel like they are in the game.
WICKETpublished at 6.4 overs
Athapaththu c Dean b Capsey 44 (SL 65-1)
Huge - and much-needed - wicket for England!
Chamari Athapaththu tries to launch Alice Capsey over the leg side, doesn't get all of it and the ball goes a long way up.
Charlie Dean is underneath it at long on to take the catch.
Athapaththu is livid with herself, she just about restrains herself from throwing her bat to the ground as she walks off.
SL 63-0published at 6.2 overs
Target 117
Just too easy for Chamari Athapaththu.
Alice Capsey strays onto the pads and the ball is flicked away behind square for four.
Postpublished at 19:55 British Summer Time 6 September 2023
Georgia Elwiss
England all-rounder on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Test Match SpecialSri Lanka have just played smart.
I have been so impressed with their intent to put the bad ball away, and then that just allows them to rotate the strike off the good balls.
SL 58-0published at 6 overs
Target 117
Powerplay done and unless England can get rid of Chamari Athapaththu soon, the match won't last much longer either.
Postpublished at 19:54 British Summer Time 6 September 2023
Russel Arnold
Former Sri Lanka all-rounder on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Test Match SpecialChamari Athapaththu is just playing strong cricket shots.
Sri Lanka are halfway there already.