Sri Lanka Women secured a hard-fought victory over Scotland Women in their warm-up match for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Dubai on September 30, 2024. Both teams used this practice game to fine-tune their squads ahead of the tournament, and while Sri Lanka came out on top, both teams had moments of brilliance that kept the match competitive.
Sri Lanka’s Commanding Start
After winning the toss, Scotland opted to bowl first, hoping to capitalize on early morning conditions that seemed favorable for seam bowling. Sri Lanka’s openers, however, had other plans, setting a solid foundation with aggressive stroke play.
Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka’s talismanic captain and one of the most experienced players in the game, led from the front. She looked in fine form, picking up from where she left off in the previous series. Athapaththu’s aggressive intent was clear from the outset, as she took on the Scottish bowlers with an array of powerful drives and cuts.
Her opening partner, Harshitha Samarawickrama, provided strong support with well-timed shots that rotated the strike. Together, the duo posted a solid 50-run partnership within the powerplay, putting the pressure back on Scotland’s bowlers. Samarawickrama's calm approach complemented Athapaththu's more attacking game, creating a well-balanced opening stand.
Scotland’s Bowling Fightback
Despite a strong start from Sri Lanka, Scotland’s bowlers managed to claw their way back into the contest. The introduction of spinners, particularly Katherine Fraser, slowed down the scoring rate and brought about key breakthroughs.
Fraser, Scotland’s young and talented off-spinner, bowled with great control and guile. She managed to deceive Athapaththu with a beautifully flighted delivery that saw the Sri Lankan captain mistime a shot, sending a simple catch to the mid-off fielder. Athapaththu’s departure after a rapid 45 off 28 balls was a relief for Scotland, but the damage was already done with the team cruising at 85-2 by the 10th over.
Following Athapaththu’s exit, Scotland turned the screws, with Abtaha Maqsood also chipping in with crucial wickets in the middle overs. Maqsood’s leg-spin was particularly effective as she mixed her lengths well, forcing the Sri Lankan middle order to take risks.
Sri Lanka Post a Challenging Total
Despite the Scottish fightback, Sri Lanka’s middle-order batters, Nilakshi de Silva and Anushka Sanjeewani, ensured they didn’t let the momentum slip entirely. Both batters applied themselves well, mixing boundaries with smart singles. De Silva's ability to accelerate in the death overs was crucial, as Sri Lanka finished with a respectable 155-6 in their allotted 20 overs.
Scotland’s bowlers, particularly Fraser (3-25) and Maqsood (2-30), were the standout performers, keeping the total within reach but giving their team a challenging target to chase.
Scotland’s Chase: A Strong Start but Inconsistent Middle Order
Chasing 156 for victory, Scotland’s openers, Sarah Bryce and Ailsa Lister, provided a bright start. The duo capitalized on some loose deliveries from the Sri Lankan seamers, with Bryce in particular timing the ball beautifully through the covers. Lister supported her well by playing sensible cricket, rotating the strike and finding the odd boundary to keep the scoreboard ticking.
However, the turning point came when Sri Lanka introduced their spinners. Inoka Ranaweera, Sri Lanka’s veteran left-arm spinner, was quick to get into her groove. She broke the opening partnership by removing Lister, who was caught at deep mid-wicket after mistiming a pull shot.
Following Lister's dismissal, Scotland’s innings began to lose momentum. Ranaweera's control, combined with Sugandika Kumari's tight bowling from the other end, dried up the boundaries. Bryce, who had looked in fine form, tried to counter-attack but fell victim to Kumari’s clever variation, getting bowled for a well-made 38.
Sri Lankan Spinners Dominate Middle Overs
As the middle order struggled to find boundaries, pressure mounted on the Scottish batters. Kathryn Bryce, Scotland’s captain, tried to stabilize the innings, but Sri Lanka’s spinners kept a tight grip on the game. Kumari and Ranaweera continued to pick up wickets at regular intervals, leaving Scotland in a precarious position.
By the 15th over, Scotland had slipped to 95-5, and with the required run rate climbing, the task became increasingly difficult for the lower-order batters. Despite a late flourish from Fraser and Lorna Jack, the target proved too steep for Scotland.
Sri Lanka Seal Victory
In the end, Sri Lanka’s bowlers completed a disciplined performance, restricting Scotland to 138-7 in 20 overs, securing a 17-run victory. Inoka Ranaweera was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-21, while Sugandika Kumari (2-28) provided excellent support. The spinners’ collective effort in the middle overs was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s win, as they turned the game around after a bright start by Scotland.
For Sri Lanka, this warm-up win is a positive step toward the Women’s T20 World Cup. Their batting lineup looks well-rounded, with Athapaththu leading from the front, and their spinners showed why they are considered a force to be reckoned with in subcontinental conditions. However, they will need to work on maintaining momentum in the middle overs and converting good starts into bigger totals.
Scotland, on the other hand, will take heart from their spirited bowling performance. Fraser and Maqsood’s spells were particularly encouraging, but they will need more from their middle-order batters if they are to be competitive in the tournament. The bright start to their chase showed promise, but the middle-order collapse will be a concern as they prepare for tougher challenges ahead.
In a closely-fought contest, Sri Lanka Women edged out Scotland Women by 17 runs in their T20 World Cup warm-up match in Dubai. While Sri Lanka’s spinners dominated the middle overs, Scotland showed glimpses of potential with both bat and ball, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead. Both teams will take valuable lessons from this match as they gear up for the challenges of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
English (United States) ·