Sri Lanka Women look to end Australia’s unbeaten streak

Sri Lanka Women will be looking to bounce back when they face defending champions Australia in their second ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday.

The hosts showed promise with the ball in their opener against India but were hampered by fielding lapses and a middle-order collapse, eventually being bowled out for 211 despite nine players reaching double figures. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu, who famously struck 178* against Australia in 2017, remains Sri Lanka’s key hope, alongside youngsters Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, and Kavisha Dilhari.

Australia, on the other hand, began the tournament with a dominant win over New Zealand, powered by Ashleigh Gardner’s century and a strong bowling attack led by Annabel Sutherland. With star players such as Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, and Ellyse Perry, the Aussies present a formidable challenge.

• Head-to-Head Record

The two teams have faced each other in 11 women’s One-Day Internationals, with Australia winning all 11 matches. This unbeaten streak adds pressure on the Sri Lankan side as they aim to break Australia’s dominance.

• Squads:

Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasuriya.

Australia: Alyssa Healy (captain, wk), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.