A knock of 152 not out from their skipper Meg Lanning saw the reigning champions claim a comfortable eight-wicket victory over their Asian opponents, who had posted 257-9, as they chased down their target.

Lanning hit a six to see Australia leap over their target, ending on 262-2 with 6.1 overs remaining, making the fact this was a tournament-record run chase even more remarkable.

However, Jayangani was arguably the star of the day at the Country Ground as she hit the third highest women’s One-Day International (ODI) innings.

She smashed 178 not out from 143 balls with 22 fours and six sixes.

Her efforts could not be matched though by her team-mates as only two others, Shashikala Siriwardena and Lokusuriyage Kaushalya, reached double figures with the bat.

Jayangani’s total also saw her break the world record for the highest percentage, 69.2, of runs scored by an individual batswoman in an ODI innings.

Australia’s response, spearheaded by their captain, proved too good for Sri Lanka, even though opener Beth Mooney went for a duck at the end of the second over.

Alongside Lanning, who is currently tops the world women’s ODI batting rankings, Nicole Bolton scored 60 and Ellyse Perry helped see the side over the finish line with 39 not out.

Today’s other match saw India continue their knack of pulling off a surprise as they defeated World Twenty20 champions West Indies by seven-wickets.

India, who shocked hosts England on the tournament’s opening day, limited their opponents to 183-8 from their 50 overs at the County Ground in Taunton.

Smriti Mandhana, who scored 90 against England on Saturday (June 24), then hit 106 not out to see her team to victory with 7.3 overs left.

Competition will now take a break until Sunday (June 2), when all eight teams will be playing.