England cruise to ninth straight win as confidence builds for Ashes

England women made it nine wins in a row with an easy victory over Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the second Twenty20 in Colombo.

After going 2-0 down to India in a one-day international series last month, England have won nine matches on the trot, crushing Sri Lanka. It started with beating India in the final ODI in Mohali before a clean sweep in the T20s. The form has continued in Sri Lanka with a 3-0 win in the one-day series and now a 2-0 lead going into the final Twenty20 in Colombo tomorrow.

The gulf in class between the teams has been apparent. Women’s cricket in Sri Lanka has a long way to go to catch up with England and India, with their funding and media profile virtually non-existent.

England also won by eight wickets in the first T20 and, once again, their bowling was too strong. After putting on 45 for the first wicket, Sri Lanka were unable to find momentum, losing wickets as the innings was ground down. Katherine Brunt claimed two, and 20-year-old leg-spinner Sophia Dunkley took her first international wicket as Sri Lanka managed just 108 for six.

England were never going to be troubled as Danni Wyatt top scored with 37 in their cruise to victory with 37 deliveries remaining.

“It’s another good win. We’ve talked a lot about getting into the habit of being ruthless,” said Amy Jones, who scored 36 in a 79-run opening stand. “It’s less than a year until the T20 World Cup, so it’s great to get used to winning T20s.”

If England win tomorrow it will be the fifth time they have won 10 matches in succession and lift confidence before this summer’s Ashes.

England play three ODIS and three T20s against West Indies in June before Australia arrive in July.