Sri Lanka record thrilling one-wicket win over England

MUMBAI: Sri Lanka defeated England by one wicket off the final ball in a thrilling match of the Women’s World Cup 2013 Group ‘A’ here at the Brabourne Stadium on Friday.

Chasing 239, Sri Lanka openers Chamari Atapattu Jayangani and Yasoda Mendis made a bright start to provide a solid base to their team for victory.

Both made 103 runs for the opening stand as Jayangani made 62 and Mendis scored 46 before Eshani Kaushalya blasted a 41-ball 56 with three sixes and five boundaries.

Skipper Shashikala Siriwardene also contributed a useful 34 but it was tail-ender Manodara Dilani Surangika who hit a winning six off the last ball.

For England, Katherine Brunt, Georgia Elwiss and Arran Brindle claimed two wickets each.

Earlier, Sri Lanka captain winning the toss, put England into bat and restricted them to 238-8 in the allotted 50 overs.

Main scorers for England were Jenny Gunn (52), Amy Jones (41), Heather Knight (38) and Arran Brindle (31) while Chamani Seneviratna, Kaushalya and Siriwardene bagged two wickets each for Sri Lanka.