Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
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Image credit: England Cricket |
One day down in the first ever standalone Women’s World T20 tournament, and there were some absolutely fantastic performances. Harmanpreet Kaur lit up the tournament in its first innings, blasting eight sixes in a magnificent century for India against world number two New Zealand. Alyssa Healy then dominated for Australia, followed by an incredible spell of 5/6 in 3.4 by Deandra Dottin to see West Indies through to a comfortable win against Bangladesh.
Who will star on day two? Will it be England or Sri Lanka to get off to a winning start in the tournament?

England, one of the tournament favourites, boast a squad with excellent talent and experience in white ball cricket. England, the current 50-over champions, have what it takes to go far in this tournament, entering the Caribbean with a power-packed line up, despite the tournament-ending injury to Katherine Brunt. Like a couple of the other heavyweights yesterday, can England start off their campaign with a win?
Sri Lanka, though, enter the tournament on the back of a poor run of results. Their last T20I assignment was a 4-0 loss in a five match series against India, and with two losses in their two warm up games, the Sri Lankans need a mighty improvement if they are to beat England. They have a squad that have played a good number of T20I matches, but can they challenge England?
Key to an England win
England are the number three ranked T20I side in women’s cricket, and this game represents an opportunity for them to flex their muscle.
Heather Knight leads her side in the quest to pick up their first World T20 title since 2009, and it is important England hit their straps straight away to build momentum. Skipper Knight makes up part of a good batting line up on paper, which includes strong hitters in Danielle Wyatt, Tammy Beaumont and Natalie Sciver. Will the English bat Sri Lanka out of the game?
Also, England’s bowling attack didn’t perform at their best in the warm up game against India, but this is the tournament proper. Jenny Gunn, Anya Shurbsole, Danielle Hazell and Sophie Ecclestone make up an experienced bowling attack, and against a side that is struggling a little for batting form, being accurate, disciplined and ruthless will be the order of the day for England.
Key to a Sri Lanka win

Captain Chamari Atapattu holds the key for Sri Lanka with the bat. The Sri Lankans can take heart from their batting efforts against India, scoring over 130 twice and over 150 once in the four completed matches. Despite losing all games, there is enough to suggest that they can compete with the bat, but being bowled out for 98 and 85 against New Zealand and Ireland respectively in their warm up games is something they need to guard against.
With the ball, who will step up for Sri Lanka? Against India, they were unable to defend pretty decent totals, and against a strong England side, building up dot ball pressure is vital. Can the likes of Oshadi Ranasinghe and Shashikala Siriwardene cause England trouble?
Possible teams:
England: 1. Danielle Wyatt, 2. Tammy Beaumont, 3. Natalie Sciver, 4. Heather Knight (c), 5. Amy Jones (wk), 6. Lauren Winfield, 7. Sophie Dunkley, 8. Anya Shrubsole, 9. Jenny Gunn, 10. Sophie Ecclestone, 11. Danielle Hazell
Sri Lanka: 1. Yasoda Mendis, 2. Chamari Atapattu, 3. Hasini Perera, 4. Shahikala Siriwardene, 5. 5. Eshani Lokusuriya, 6. Nilakshi de Silva, 7. Dilani Manodara, 8. Ama Kanchana, 9. Rebeca Vandort, 10. Oshadi Ranasinghe, 11. Kavisha Dilhari
Stats and Facts
- England have won the World T20 Title once, back in 2009.
- England have beaten Sri Lanka in their last four completed T20I meetings.
Prediction
Rain is expected at Gros Islet, which could bring the two sides closer together.
If there is indeed a result, expect England to win, even without Katherine Brunt and Sarah Taylor.