Sri Lanka Emerging Women levelled the Twenty20 series versus England Women’s Academy despite Tammy Beaumont’s fifty at Nondescripts Cricket Club in Colombo.
Beaumont, who has 50 senior international caps, struck 52 from 50 deliveries from the top of the order and Alex McDonald fired a six-ball 22 not out in the tourists’ 124 for six.
However, opener Yasoda Mendis’ rapid 58 helped the hosts to overhaul that with five wickets and 16 balls to spare, making the scoreline 1-1 ahead of Friday’s double-header that ends the best-of-four rubber.
EWA were unchanged from Monday’s thrilling one-run win at the same venue and, having been inserted, lost two wickets in an early over from seamer Eshani Lokusuriyage.
Although Beaumont prospered, spinner Inoka Ranaweera claimed two stumpings to make the score 54 for four in the 11th set of six.
Sonia Odedra supported Beaumont with a steady 16 not out and, once the opener was bowled by Nilakshi de Silva, McDonald smote two sixes and as many fours as all her runs came from the last over.
Jodie Dibble opened the EWA bowling with a maiden over, yet Mendis then dominated an opening stand of 75 alongside Chamari Atapattu.
Stephanie Butler broke through by snaring Mendis in the 11th over, but the damage was done. Although Georgia Hennessy cleaned up Atapattu for 14 and struck again, Hasini Perera’s swift 23 all but took the hosts to victory.