Laura Marsh passes 100 ODI wickets as England sweep Sri Lanka

Laura Marsh became the second fastest English woman to take 100 ODI wickets with a four-wicket haul as England completed a series sweep in Sri Lanka.

The Kent Cricket Academy graduate took 4/21 England women to complete a 162-run victory in the fourth One-Day International (ODI) in Colombo today, and seal a 4-0 series win against the hosts.

The 29-year-old off-spinner from Pembury had earlier scored 36 not out before rain pushed as England set Sri Lanka 241 to win from their 50 overs before play was forced to be abandoned between innings due to rain.

Returning this morning to finish the match – in accordance with ICC Women’s Championship Playing Conditions – a clinical performance from England in the field bowled Sri Lanka out for just 78.

The conclusion of fourth ODI today marks the end of the busiest ever year for Heather Knight’s team, and completes a perfect record of six consecutive series wins in 2016. Critically, the team have also secured automatic qualification for the ICC Women’s World Cup on home soil next summer, finishing second in the ICC Women’s Championship table.

Reflecting on the last 12 months, England Women’s Head Coach, Mark Robinson, said: “It’s been an incredible year, and there has been huge change during this time.

"We put out a team in the third ODI against Sri Lanka on Tuesday that was completely different to the one that took on South Africa at the start of the year.

"As a group, we’ve come a long way, a lot has happened, and of course there have been a few bumps along the way, but overall we really feel that we are moving in the right direction, which is the most important thing.

“Since the beginning the players have given it everything, which has been fantastic, I couldn’t have asked them for any more."

During 2016 England women have played 26 matches across all formats of the game, and won 21 of them at a win percentage of 81 percent.

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