Women’s World Cup: Can Sri Lanka challenge mighty Australia?

Women’s World Cup: Can Sri Lanka Challenge Mighty Australia?

By Rajdeep Saha | Oct 03, 2025 07:18 pm

The 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup is gaining momentum as Australia and Sri Lanka prepare to face off on October 4 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Australia’s recent form has been exceptional, especially following their dominant victory over New Zealand in the tournament opener. They aim to continue their winning streak with another commanding performance.

Match Preparation: Sri Lanka Need to Tighten Up

Sri Lanka demonstrated their potential in their opening match against India, reducing the hosts to 124 for six. However, they missed key opportunities, dropping four catches that allowed India to fight back into the game. As they gear up to face defending champions Australia, execution in the field and with the bat will be crucial for Sri Lanka to showcase their best.

Home Advantage: Support Could Be Crucial

Sri Lanka will be buoyed by strong home support, with free entry granted to fans at the stadium. The team is also well-acquainted with the Khettarama surface, where their national players train regularly at the high-performance center. Although Sri Lanka has never beaten Australia in a Women’s ODI—Australia holding an 11-0 advantage—these familiar conditions might give the home side a fighting chance for an upset.

Player Spotlight: All Eyes on Gardner and Gunaratne

Ashleigh Gardner has been a key figure for Australia’s lower middle order, shining with an unbeaten 115 off 83 balls against New Zealand. Her innings highlighted the depth and resilience of the Australian lineup. For Sri Lanka, focus will be on Vishmi Gunaratne, who scored her maiden ODI century against Ireland in August 2024 but has struggled for form since. The home team hopes Gunaratne can rediscover her touch in this pivotal clash.

Pitch Report and Weather Forecast

The pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium typically offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, though recent preparations have slightly favored the batters. Weather forecasts predict intermittent rain throughout the afternoon in Colombo, which could significantly influence Saturday’s match dynamics.

Head-to-Head Record and Points Table

Australia holds a perfect record against Sri Lanka in Women’s ODIs, winning all 11 previous encounters. In the current tournament standings, Australia sit second behind England on net run rate.

Key Stats to Watch

• Ashleigh Gardner: Approaching 1,500 WODI runs with 1,441 at an average of 30.65, including two centuries and seven half-centuries.
• Ellyse Perry: Scored 33 in the opener and boasts a career tally of 4,362 runs across 159 matches at an impressive average above 49.
• Sophie Molineux: Took three wickets against New Zealand and has claimed 26 WODI scalps at an average around 13.
• Chamari Athapaththu: Sri Lanka’s captain and top scorer against India, with 3,921 runs in 116 WODIs at 35.31.

Probable Playing XIs

Australia: Alyssa Healy (c & wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Kim Garth, Alana King, Darcie Brown.

Sri Lanka: Hasini Perera, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Nilakshika Silva, Sugandika Kumari, Inoka Ranaweera, Achini Kulasuriya, Udeshika Prabodhani.

This Australia vs Sri Lanka contest promises to be an intriguing encounter, with the defending champions looking to maintain their unbeaten streak and the home side eager to capitalize on familiar conditions and home support. Fans can expect an exciting battle on October 4 in Colombo.

https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/aus-women-vs-sl-women-odi-world-cup-match-preview/story

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