DHAKA: England clinched qualification for the 2017 Women’s World Cup by beating Sri Lanka by 122 runs in their second one-day international in Colombo.

Lauren Winfield (51), Heather Knight (53) and Natalie Sciver (51) all hit half-centuries as the tourists were bowled out for 295 in their 50 overs.

Sri Lanka, never in the hunt, were bowled out for 173 in 48.5 overs.

England join Australia in qualifying for the World Cup, which takes place in England in June and July next year, reports the BBC.

The top four teams in the eight-team ICC Women's Championship table qualify automatically, with the bottom four joining six other sides in a qualifying tournament, to be held in Sri Lanka early in 2017, to determine the final four World Cup qualifiers.

West Indies will become the third side to qualify automatically if they beat India on Sunday, while New Zealand and South Africa are battling for fourth place.

After Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field, England made best use of the conditions at the R Premadasa Stadium as three of their top four passed 50, though none of them passed 53.

Captain Knight struck three sixes, while the free-scoring Sciver's 51 came from only 27 balls.

England captain Heather Knight: “We are really chuffed. It is been a long road to get here which started two years ago. We have the best fans in the world, so to get the opportunity to play in a World Cup on home soil is really exciting.

BDST: 1126 HRS, NOV 13, 2016
BD