On Saturday, October 18, 2025, a rain‑soaked afternoon at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo turned what could have been a classic showdown into a washout. The match was part of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025-26Colombo, the tournament’s fifth group‑stage fixture.
Background to the Match
Both sides arrived in Sri Lanka with very different expectations. Alyssa Healy, captain of Australia Women led the reigning world champions, who had already secured two points from a win over New Zealand at Indore’s Holkar Cricket Stadium on October 14. Their opponents, Chamari Athapaththu, captain of Sri Lanka Women, were still searching for their first victory against the Australians after a 59‑run DLS loss to India on September 30.
The schedule had the two teams set to meet in Colombo after Australia had flown into Bandaranaike International Airport on Thursday, October 16, following their Indore triumph. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, were coming off a heavy defeat and were hoping to claw back a point against the tournament favourites.
Rain Forces Abandonment
Match officials, led by ICC match referee David Boon, inspected the outfield well before the scheduled toss. Initial readings on Friday, October 17, suggested the pitch would hold, and the covers were rolled out as a precaution on Saturday morning. But within 15 minutes of the teams stepping onto the field, the sky opened up. Heavy showers, measured at more than 25 mm per hour, drenched the ground despite the protective sheets.
According to the Department of Meteorology’s forecast, there was an 80 % chance of rain that afternoon, a figure that materialised with relentless downpours. Ground staff at Sri Lanka Cricket attempted to dry the outfield, but the water persisted for two and a half hours of scheduled play before Boon announced the abandonment.
Points Allocation and Standings Impact
Under ICC playing conditions, an abandoned group‑stage match awards one point to each side. The decision left Australia at the top of the ten‑team table with three points (two from the win over New Zealand, one from the washout). Sri Lanka moved to fifth place with a solitary point, but their net run rate (NRR) stayed deep in the red at ‑1.255, a figure that will haunt them if they cannot string together wins in the remaining fixtures.
- Australia Women – 3 points, NRR +1.12
- Sri Lanka Women – 1 point, NRR ‑1.255
- Next matches: Australia vs Pakistan (Oct 8), Sri Lanka vs England (Oct 11)
The washout also extended Sri Lanka’s gap between competitive matches to 18 days – from the September 30 loss to India to their next game on October 18 – a stretch that could affect momentum.
Historical Head‑to‑Head Between Australia and Sri Lanka
Australia’s dominance over Sri Lanka stretches back to their first encounter on December 17, 1997. In 19 ODIs and T20Is combined – 11 ODIs and eight T20Is – Sri Lanka have never managed a win. The rain‑induced draw is the first time the island nation avoided defeat against the world champions, albeit without a ball being bowled to a conclusion.
“It’s always heartbreaking to lose, but today at least we walk away with a point,” Athapaththu said in the post‑match press conference. “We’ll take this as a sign that we can compete, and we’ll be ready for England.” Healy, who has captained Australia in 61 ODIs, added, “We’re disappointed not to get a win, but the conditions were beyond anyone’s control. We stay focused on the next game against Pakistan.”
What the Washout Means for the Rest of the Tournament
Australia now needs just one more win from their remaining three group matches to guarantee a semifinal spot, a scenario that looks likely given their firepower – batters like Ashleigh Gardner and bowlers such as Megan Schutt.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, must win both upcoming matches against England and the following opponent to keep hopes alive. Their NRR deficit means that even a win‑win‑win run would only edge them into the fourth‑place slot if other results go their way.
The next day, October 19, the India‑Pakistan clash was also slated for the same venue. With a similar weather outlook, the ICC warned that further disruptions could force the schedule committee to reshuffle matches or consider reserve days.
Expert and Player Reactions
Cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle noted, “The rain has thrown a spanner in the works, especially for Sri Lanka, who now face a grueling run‑in. Australia will be irritated by the loss of rhythm, but they have the depth to recover.”
From the administrative side, ICC spokesperson David Richardson said, “Our priority is player safety and fairness. The decision aligns with the tournament regulations, and we will continue to monitor weather closely to minimise further interruptions.”
Looking ahead, the tournament remains wide open. With the top four – Australia, England, India, and New Zealand – all within striking distance, the rain‑affected match adds another layer of uncertainty that could favor the teams best able to adapt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the washout affect Sri Lanka Women’s chances of reaching the semifinals?
Sri Lanka now sit on one point with a net run rate of ‑1.255. They must win both remaining group games and hope other results go their way to break into the top four. The NRR gap makes their path very narrow.
What points system does the ICC use for abandoned matches?
The ICC awards one point to each side for a group‑stage match that is abandoned without a result, as stipulated in the tournament playing conditions.
When is the next match for Australia Women in the World Cup?
Australia’s next fixture is against Pakistan Women on October 8, 2025, at the same R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Has Sri Lanka ever beaten Australia Women in international cricket?
No. Up to October 2025, Sri Lanka Women have lost all 19 encounters (11 ODIs, 8 T20Is) against Australia Women. The rain‑induced draw is the first non‑defeat result.
Could future matches be postponed because of the forecast?
The Department of Meteorology predicts continued showers for the coming days. The ICC has warned that if rain persists, reserve days may be activated or the schedule adjusted to keep the tournament on track.