While two games were washed out, England sealed a massive win against India, and New Zealand fell to India A on the opening day of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 warm-up matches.
Batting first, England displayed their class with the willow, blowing away the Indian bowlers to put up 339/9 at the end of their 50 overs.
They were fuelled by a scintillating century from skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, who made 122 off 105 - a knock laced with 13 fours and two sixes. Emma Lamb joined in with an attacking 81 off 59 down the order to help England set up a massive target.
Despite the best efforts of the Indian batters in the chase, led by a bright start at the top from Uma Chetry (45) and a crucial 66-run knock from Jemimah Rodrigues, the home side faltered down the order and fell to a mammoth 152-run defeat.
India next face New Zealand on Saturday, September 27 in their second and final warm-up clash. England and Australia lock horns on Sunday in a blockbuster fixture just ahead of the tournament opener on September 30.
NEW ZEALAND v INDIA
New Zealand stumbled to defeat in their first warm-up fixture of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 against India A.
Despite wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Gaze’s valiant, unbeaten hundred (101*) down the order, that helped the White Ferns to 273/9 from their 50 overs, India A went on to nab a victory by the DLS method, having scored 226/6 from 39.3 overs before rain disrupted play.
Shafali Verma stood out for India with a superb 70 off 49 to lead the way at the top, while Mamatha Madiwala also contributed with a crucial unbeaten half-century (56*) to guide India A over the line.
New Zealand next take on India in their second warm-up clash on Saturday, September 27.
BANGLADESH v SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa, who opted to bat first, were dealt a blow right off the first delivery of the game after Marufa Akter castled the in-form Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt with a beauty.
Akter struck gold once again off the very first ball of her second over with the wicket of Annerie Dercksen, who was also rattled by a superb delivery from the pacer.
After Bangladesh dismissed the dangerous Marizanne Kapp in the brink of the eighth over, rain decided to play spoilsport and the game was subsequently called off with the score at 45/3.
Bangladesh go up against Sri Lanka on Saturday, September 27, while South Africa take on Pakistan next on Sunday, September 28.
SRI LANKA v PAKISTAN
The day saw another rain-hit encounter with the clash between World Cup hosts Sri Lanka and Pakistan called off due to persistent rains in Colombo.
The home side got off to a strong start before captain Chamari Athapaththu’s shot ended up in Sadas Shamas’ hands off Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana. With rain coming into play, the game was inevitably abandoned with Sri Lanka at 33/1.
Sri Lanka’s next warm-up challenge is against Bangladesh, while Pakistan tee off against South Africa.