England Women’s Academy opened their tour with a thrilling one-run Twenty20 victory over Sri Lanka Women in Colombo.
A 14-strong touring squad is in Colombo for four T20s and two 50-over games versus the senior Sri Lanka team over the next nine days.
Having been inserted, EWA posted 111 for six at Nondescripts Cricket Club, Tammy Beaumont scoring 23 and Fran Wilson contributing a fluent 36 from 28 balls.
Helen Shipman also got into her stride to take EWA to 75 for two in the 13th over and she continued the charge in her return to cricket after a year out through illness before being run out for 32.
The hosts were in contention for victory on 56 for two half way through the reply with Jodie Dibble returning 2-16 from her four overs.
But the bowlers kept it tight in the middle overs to make it 76 for three with five to go and that became 12 needed from the last, but Sonia Odedra completed victory with 2-29.