EN-W vs SL-W Match Preview – The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 is heating up in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as co-hosts Sri Lanka Women prepare to face a formidable England Women side in Match 12 at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium. This Group Stage encounter promises intrigue, with England riding high after two convincing victories and Sri Lanka desperate for their first win following a heavy defeat. As the tournament progresses toward its knockout phase, this clash could solidify England’s position at the top while offering Sri Lanka a chance to upset the odds on home soil. Below, we dive into a comprehensive preview, including match details, head-to-head stats, recent form, predicted lineups, pitch and weather insights, and our bold prediction.
EN-W vs SL-W Match Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | England Women vs Sri Lanka Women |
| Series | ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 |
| Date | October 11, 2025 |
| Time | 3:00 PM Local Time (10:30 AM BST) |
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| Live Telecast | JioHotstar (India), ICC.tv (Global Streaming) |
The match kicks off under the Colombo sun, with potential for afternoon showers adding an element of unpredictability. Fans can catch the live action via JioHotstar in India, with ball-by-ball updates on the ICC app worldwide.
EN-W vs SL-W Match Preview
England Women enter this fixture as the tournament frontrunners, having climbed to the top of the points table with back-to-back victories that showcase their depth in batting and bowling. Their campaign began with a clinical seven-wicket win over South Africa Women (chasing a revised target of 70 in a rain-affected game) and was followed by a gritty four-wicket triumph against Bangladesh Women, where captain Heather Knight’s unbeaten 79 steered them home in a chase of 229. These results highlight England’s ability to adapt to subcontinental conditions, blending aggressive top-order strokeplay with a spin-heavy attack suited to slower pitches.
In contrast, Sri Lanka Women are still searching for momentum after a 59-run loss (DLS method) to India Women in their opener on September 30 at Guwahati, where they managed only 211 chasing a revised 271. Captain Chamari Athapaththu, the tournament’s talismanic all-rounder, showed flashes of brilliance but couldn’t rally her side against India’s spin dominance. Playing at home now, Sri Lanka will lean on their experienced core and home advantage, but they face a steep challenge against England’s well-oiled machine. Key subplots include England’s new leadership under Nat Sciver-Brunt (stepping in as captain) and Sri Lanka’s quest to exploit any complacency in the English ranks.
This match is crucial for semi-final qualification: A win for England would extend their lead, while Sri Lanka needs points to stay in the hunt against stronger teams like Australia and India later in the group.
EN-W vs SL-W Head-to-Head Record
England Women have historically dominated Sri Lanka in ODIs, holding a commanding edge that underscores their superior depth and consistency. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Statistic | England Women | Sri Lanka Women | No Result/Tie |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total ODIs Played | 20 | 20 | 2 |
| Wins | 17 | 1 | – |
| Recent 5 Matches | 4 Wins | 1 Win | – |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 245 | 180 | – |
England’s last win over Sri Lanka came in a bilateral series in 2023, where they secured a 12-run thriller in a T20I, but their ODI record remains lopsided. Sri Lanka’s sole ODI victory dates back to 2017, making an upset here a historic moment for the hosts.
EN-W vs SL-W Recent Form
England Women
- WW (Tournament Record: 2 Wins, 0 Losses, NRR +2.500)
- Beat South Africa by 7 wickets (DLS) – Bowlers restricted SA to 69 in 25.3 overs.
- Beat Bangladesh by 4 wickets – Knight’s anchor role rescued a tricky chase. England’s spinners, led by Sophie Ecclestone, have been pivotal, claiming 8 wickets across two games, while the batting lineup has fired collectively.
Sri Lanka Women
- L (Tournament Record: 0 Wins, 1 Loss, NRR -1.255)
- Lost to India by 59 runs (DLS) – Athapaththu top-scored with 55, but the middle order collapsed. Sri Lanka showed fight in their chase but struggled against spin, losing 7 wickets to tweakers. Their bowlers, including Udeshika Prabodhani, leaked runs early, exposing batting frailties on seaming tracks.
EN-W vs SL-W Pitch and Weather Report
Pitch Report
The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is a venue steeped in history, having hosted numerous high-stakes encounters, including past World Cup finals. Traditionally, it’s a batter-friendly surface with true bounce and short boundaries that encourage aggressive strokeplay, often leading to scores above 250 in ODIs. However, recent Women’s World Cup 2025 matches here have shown a twist: The pitches have turned slower and lower due to minimal dew and curator tweaks, assisting spinners in the middle overs. In the Australia vs. Pakistan game two days ago, the surface gripped, restricting Pakistan to under 200.
For this match, expect a balanced track: Early seam movement for pacers like Lauren Bell (England) and Prabodhani (Sri Lanka), transitioning to spin paradise for Ecclestone and Kavisha Dilhari. Teams batting first might target 240-260, with chasing slightly favored if dew arrives late. Average first-innings score in women’s ODIs here: 228.
Weather Report
Colombo’s October weather is typically humid and warm, part of the inter-monsoon season, but forecasts for October 11 indicate playable conditions with a risk of interruptions. Expect daytime highs of 29-30°C (84-86°F) with humidity around 80-85%, feeling much hotter. Patchy rain is possible in the afternoon (40-50% chance), potentially shortening the game like recent fixtures, but no full washout is anticipated. Winds from the southwest at 5-10 km/h could aid swing bowlers early. Hydration and sun protection will be key for players.
| Parameter | Forecast (Oct 11, 3:00 PM Local) |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 29°C (High) / 26°C (Low) |
| Humidity | 82% |
| Rain Chance | 40% (Patchy showers possible) |
| Cloud Cover | Partly cloudy |
EN-W vs SL-W Predicted Playing11
Based on recent form, squad availability, and pitch conditions favoring a balanced attack, here are our predicted lineups. England may opt for an extra spinner, while Sri Lanka bolsters their pace for early breakthroughs.
England Women Predicted11
- Sophia Dunkley
- Maia Bouchier
- Tammy Beaumont
- Nat Sciver-Brunt (C)
- Alice Capsey
- Amy Jones (WK)
- Charlie Dean
- Sophie Ecclestone
- Kate Cross
- Lauren Bell
- Lauren Filer
Impact Sub: Emily Arlott (Pace) or Linsey Smith (Spin) Rationale: Sciver-Brunt’s all-round prowess anchors the middle order, with Ecclestone’s left-arm spin key on this track. Filer adds raw pace.
Sri Lanka Women Predicted11
- Vishmi Gunaratne (or Vishmi Rajapaksha)
- Chamari Athapaththu (C)
- Harshitha Samarawickrama
- Hasini Perera
- Nilakshi de Silva
- Anushka Sanjeewani (WK)
- Kavisha Dilhari
- Sugandika Kumari
- Udeshika Prabodhani
- Achini Kulasuriya
- Inoka Ranaweera
Impact Sub: Dewmi Vihanga (Pace) or Malki Madara (Batting) Rationale: Athapaththu’s explosive batting is crucial, paired with Dilhari’s off-spin. Prabodhani leads the seam attack to target England’s top order early.
EN-W vs SL-W Match Prediction
England Women are overwhelming favorites to extend their winning streak, leveraging their superior head-to-head record and current form. Sri Lanka’s home crowd may inspire a gritty performance, but England’s spin duo of Ecclestone and Dean could dismantle the middle order on a gripping Premadasa pitch. If England bats first, expect them to post 250+; chasing suits their depth even better.
Predicted Winners
England Women By: 65 runs (if batting first) or 8 wickets (chasing)
Player of the Match: Sophie Ecclestone (4-35, exploiting spin-friendly conditions)
Toss Prediction: Sri Lanka to bowl first (to utilize early moisture).
