Nethmi Senaratne stroked a fine knock of 51 in 48 balls with seven fours as the Sri Lanka under-19 women’s team recorded a thrilling six runs win over England in their Tri-Nations T-20 fixture at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium yesterday.
The Sri Lanka lasses put up a spirited display to win after making 128 for 7 and restricted England to 122 for 7 in 20 overs.
Skipper Manudi Nanayakkara and Nethmi Senaratne posted 75 runs for the third wicket as Nethmi reached her first fifty in the 18th over with a boundary after their stand ended in the 16th over.
England openers Davina Perrin (23 in 18 balls with three fours and a six) and Erin Thomas (21 in 15 balls with three fours and a six) produced 37 runs in 4.2 overs during the run chase.
But Chamodi Munasinghe broke the opening stand to dismiss Erin Thomas that turned the match in the home team’s favour although Charis Pavely (20 in 27 balls) and Abi Norgrove (31 in 36 balls) gave England some hope.
Abi was unfortunately run-out in the last over with two balls remaining as Sri Lanka won by six runs to remain unbeaten in the tournament with Australia being the third team.
England all-rounder Amu Surenkumar whose parents are Sri Lankan was out for a first ball duck.
Nethmi Senaratne unsuccessfully attempted to take a catch in the 18th over and injured her shoulder and will have to undergo a fitness test before Sri Lanka’s next match against Australia today.
