Following their tournament-opening loss to India, Sri Lanka prepares to face Australia in an ODI, marking their first encounter since 2019.
Sri Lanka`s initial fixtures at this Women`s World Cup pit them against formidable opponents: India, followed by Australia. While the schedule is expected to ease later, this early clash against Australia will be a crucial test for the Sri Lankan team. Despite having played 31 ODIs between the 2022 and current World Cups, the team has consistently sought more high-level competition, making this match a key indicator of their recent progress.
After a challenging performance against hosts India in their opening match, where they struggled at critical junctures, possibly due to the intensity of the occasion, Sri Lanka now faces an even greater challenge. The pressure will intensify against the formidable Australian team, renowned for its diverse strengths, making it incredibly difficult for opponents to identify and exploit any singular weakness.
Sri Lanka`s captain, Chamari Athapaththu, views these initial, high-stakes matches against top teams as perfectly timed. She hopes they will serve as a foundational experience for her team`s broader tournament aspirations.
“Yes, we are playing against the two best teams in our first two games, but this is actually very beneficial for us,” Athapaththu stated ahead of Saturday`s match against Australia in Colombo. “Following these tough encounters, we will face teams such as South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Bangladesh – opponents we have successfully overcome in the past 12 to 15 months. Therefore, starting with the strongest teams allows us to prepare thoroughly, learn from any errors, and make a strong comeback.”
This resilience in overcoming adversity has been a defining characteristic of the Sri Lankan team in recent years. After a period from October 2019 to June 2022 where they played no ODIs, they have since made significant strides, notably securing the T20 Asia Cup title in 2024.
Increased match exposure has been beneficial, although the gap in opportunities compared to the men`s team persists. Between the 2022 and 2025 World Cups, Sri Lanka participated in 31 Women`s One-Day Internationals (WODIs) and 61 Women`s Twenty20 Internationals (WT20Is). However, contests against top-tier teams like Australia are still infrequent. Prior to this tournament, Sri Lanka had a four-month international break, preparing instead with domestic matches and games against national youth squads.
Athapaththu acknowledged, “Everyone recognizes Australia as the premier team with a highly experienced squad. Our last series against them was in 2019, where I scored a century in Brisbane. Since then, we haven`t played Australia due to COVID-19 and other factors, and we`ve certainly missed those opportunities.” She added, “While we haven`t had international matches recently, we`ve engaged in domestic cricket. As captain, some aspects are beyond my control, but I can certainly focus on my performance with the bat and ball. Our preparation has been solid, bolstered by playing against national youth teams.”
In contrast, Australia`s preparations have been optimal. They secured a challenging series victory in India in September, and many of their players gained valuable experience in Indian conditions through the Women`s Premier League (WPL). The team arrived in Colombo on Thursday afternoon, allowing ample time for recovery and preparation ahead of Saturday`s match.
Australian opener Phoebe Litchfield commented on the team`s spirits after their journey from Indore, saying, “The atmosphere has been great, very positive. This morning, I woke up, went to the gym, arrived at the ground and now we`re looking forward to some food and starting training. The travel was smooth and standard, and everyone feels physically ready, so we`re eager for tomorrow`s game.”
Litchfield`s quick-fire 45 runs off 31 balls against New Zealand in Indore set a strong foundation for Australia`s innings. However, recognizing that Colombo`s conditions may not be as favorable for batting, she anticipates the need for a more strategic and measured approach.
Litchfield remarked, “We`ll assess the situation once we`re on the field. I won`t be attempting big shots from the very first ball. The plan is to evaluate the pitch and how it`s playing. If it`s a 300-run wicket, we`ll aim for that and play our natural game. However, we also understand that adaptation will be key, depending on the conditions we encounter.”
While Litchfield has only played one match against Sri Lanka—a WT20I last year—the Australian team generally has a clear understanding of what to expect from their opponents.
She concluded, “While their opening bowlers present a challenge, Sri Lanka`s spin attack is truly their strong suit. They possess four distinct spinners, each offering a different style, which will likely be our most significant threat.”
