ENG-W vs SL-W 2023 [WATCH]: Mahika Gaur bowls a jaffa to send Chamari Athapaththu’s off-stump for a walk in 1st ODI

In a stunning turnaround following their T20I series loss to Sri Lanka, the England Women’s cricket team initiated their ODI campaign with flair, securing an emphatic victory over the Islanders .

A bowling masterclass

England’s bowlers showcased their mettle as they bowled out Sri Lanka for a mere 106 runs in just 30.2 overs. The Sri Lankan batters struggled against the relentless English attack, unable to form partnerships and build a substantial innings. This remarkable bowling display set the stage for England’s comprehensive win.

Mahika Gaur – The rising star

At the forefront of England’s stunning performance was the young and talented Mahika Gaur, whose exceptional bowling left an indelible mark on the game. Gaur’s early breakthroughs set the tone for the match as she swiftly removed both of Sri Lanka’s opening batters, Chamari Athapaththu and Anushka Sanjeewani, without allowing them to make a significant impact on theꦿ scoreboard.

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The jaffa that stole the show

However, it was Mahika’s dismissal of Athapaththu that grabbed the limelight. This remarkable incident occurred on the final delivery of the fifth over. Mahika, a left-arm pacer, came over the wicket and delivered a perfect-length ball, luring Athapaththu forward. The white cricket ball deviated wickedly after pitching, beating the batter’s defense and shattering her stumps. It was a delivery that will be talked about for years to come, leaving spectators in awe of Mahika’s skill and precision.

Here is the video:

Now that's a way to take your first ODI wicket 💥

Jaffa.

— England Cricket (@englandcricket)

A comfortable chase

Mahika’s heroics didn’t end there. She went on to dismiss Udeshika Prabodhani, completing a three-wicket haul while conceding just 26 runs in 6.2 overs. Gaur’s remarkable performance earned her accolades from fans and pundits alike.

While Mahika was undoubtedly the standout performer with the ball, she had valuable support from her teammates. (3/20) and Lauren Filer (3/27) also played pivotal role🍎s, each picking up three wickets to decimate the Sri Lankan batting lineup.

In the pursuit of a modest target, England cruised to victory in just 18 overs with seven wickets in hand. Tammy Beaumont led the ꩵcharge for the hosts, top-scoring with 32 runs off 31 balls, including five boundaries.

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This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.