Summary

  • Sri Lanka win series against England for first time

  • Athapaththu (44) top-scores in composed run-chase

  • England lose regular wickets to Sri Lanka's spinners

  • Hosts' innings littered with poor shots and a calamitous run-out

  • Wyatt falls to first ball of innings, Capsey run-out

  • Three-match ODI series follows - first game in Durham on Saturday

  1. SL 58-0published at 5.4 overs

    Target 117

    And again! Not as wide this time but too short and Chamari Athapaththu carves it away square again.

    England have got no answer to the Sri Lanka skipper.

  2. SL 54-0published at 5.2 overs

    Target 117

    Width from Charlie Dean and Chamari Athapaththu crashes the ball though cover point for four.

    What a player she is!

  3. Postpublished at 19:52 British Summer Time 6 September 2023

    Russel Arnold
    Former Sri Lanka all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

    It has been a great start again.

    Sanjeewani has played a very handy supporting role to Chamari Athapaththu, and that is very pleasing to see others contributing with the bat.

  4. SL 49-0published at 5 overs

    Target 117

    Sri Lanka are still rattling along at a shade under 10 an over.

    They are making incredibly light work of this chase so far.

  5. Postpublished at 19:50 British Summer Time 6 September 2023

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Two

    England have got to stay patient and remember that if you get Athapaththu out, the game opens up.

  6. SL 45-0published at 4.3 overs

    Target 117

    Flighted by Sarah Glenn to tempt Chamari Athapaththu - and the Sri Lanka captain is happy to give in to temptation.

    She skips down and clears mid-off with ease. Four more.

  7. Postpublished at 19:48 British Summer Time 6 September 2023

    Stranger things have happened but the way Sri Lanka have started, I'd be stunned if this goes down to the wire.

    Especially when Chamari Athapaththu is batting like this...

  8. Postpublished at 19:47 British Summer Time 6 September 2023

    Alison Mitchell
    Cricket commentator on BBC Two

    Keep those two runs in mind if this game comes down to the wire...

  9. SL 39-0published at 4 overs

    Target 117

    England are very fortunate as Charlie Dean starts with a leg-side wide. The ball runs down towards the boundary where Mahika Gaur fields.

    She flicks the ball back but her foot is clearly still on the boundary sponge as she picks it up again. Somehow it's not picked up on by the umpires.

  10. Postpublished at 19:44 British Summer Time 6 September 2023

    Steven Finn
    Former England bowler on BBC Two

    A monster shot.

    It's full on leg stump and you can't bowl there to Athapaththu. It's such a glorious pick-up shot.

  11. Postpublished at 19:44 British Summer Time 6 September 2023

    Alison Mitchell
    Cricket commentator on BBC Two

    Wow! There is no stopping that.

  12. 6 runs

    SL 30-0published at 3 overs

    Target 117

    Goodness me, that's a huge hit from Chamari Athapaththu!

    On the pads from Mahika Gaur and just a flick of the wrists from the Sri Lanka skipper to send the ball high over square leg.

  13. Postpublished at 19:43 British Summer Time 6 September 2023

    Steven Finn
    Former England bowler on BBC Two

    The inclination for England is to go full and go searching for wickets.

    But Chamari Athapaththu doesn't mind that one bit. It's much easier hitting down the ground on this pitch.

  14. SL 24-0published at 2.4 overs

    Target 117

    Glorious!

    Just an elegant swing of the bat from Chamari Athapaththu to thump the ball back over Mahika Gaur's head for four.

    A touch too full and punished.

  15. Postpublished at 19:42 British Summer Time 6 September 2023

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Two

    I don't think Sri Lanka will look to see off Mahika Gaur but they might target Kate Cross at the other end, who doesn't swing the ball like Gaur does.

  16. How's stat?!published at 19:41 British Summer Time 6 September 2023

    Andy Zaltzman
    Cricket statistician on Test Match Special

    Sri Lanka haven't had much success chasing in T20s.

    Of chases between 110-130, they have won three and lost 12.

    But they have achieved some of their highest chases recently: 141 to beat New Zealand, 139 to beat India last year and 127 to beat Bangladesh in February during the World Cup.

  17. SL 18-0published at 2 overs

    Target 117

    An expensive first over from Kate Cross, 13 from it.

    The required rate was never likely to be an issue, England need wickets, but they'll be mildly concerned at the speed at which Sri Lanka have started.

  18. SL 16-0published at 1.4 overs

    Target 117

    FansImage source, Getty Images

    The runs keep coming as Anushka Sanjeewani swipes the ball over the leg side for four.

    Sri Lanka's openers want to break the back of this chase quickly.

  19. 6 runs

    SL 11-0published at 1.2 overs

    Target 117

    On the pads from Kate Cross and Chamari Athapaththu just picks it up and lifts it over deep backward square for six.

    Effortless but it clears the rope easily.

  20. Postpublished at 19:36 British Summer Time 6 September 2023

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Two

    Mahika Gaur has the potential to bowl quicker. She has been told by the nutrionist to eat as much as she can whenever she can - they don't want her to put on weight, but they do want her to add a bit of bulk and muscle.