An all-round performance by the Sri Lankan women’s team ensured they cruised to a five-wicket victory over a struggling South African side.
With both teams having suffered defeats in their opening encounters against India, they were eager to make a mark and keep their hopes alive of reaching the finals of the tri-nation series. On a dry surface that offered little bounce, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first—a decision that paid immediate dividends. The South African openers, who had given their team a solid start in the previous game, fell cheaply. Both Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits departed within the first seven overs. Seventeen-year-old Karabo Meso, playing her debut series, couldn’t hold on for long either, leaving South Africa reeling at 59/3.
From there, Lara Goodall and Sune Luus began rebuilding the innings, putting together a steady 54-run partnership to keep the scoreboard ticking. Goodall chanced her arm and found some boundaries, though she was fortunate to be dropped twice during her stay at the crease.
Debutant Dewmi Vihanga turned the game once again with two quick wickets, dismissing both set batters and halting South Africa’s momentum. However, a 62-run stand between Annerie Dercksen and Chloe Tryon brought some much-needed impetus to the innings.
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Dercksen, in particular, batted with great composure and guile, raising her bat for a well-earned fifty to help South Africa post a competitive total. Malki Madara and Dewmiwere the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, returning figures of 4/50 and 3/41 respectively.
In response, Sri Lanka looked comfortable throughout their chase of 236, despite losing star batter and captain Chamari Athapaththu early. Hasini Perera, just as in the previous game, kept the scoreboard moving before falling to a delivery from Luus. However, composed strokeplay from Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, and Kavisha Dilhari ensured that Sri Lanka coasted to a surprise win.
The latter two notched up half-centuries as they blunted any attempts by the opposition bowlers to mount a comeback. They added 128 for the fourth wicket by rotating strike constantly while also striking the boundaries off the loose deliveries. Wolvaardt tried seven options with the ball, but they couldn’t break the stand between Harshitha and Dilhari. South Africa fielded well, like they usually do, but lacked firepower with the ball.
Sri Lanka will now face India in the second round of fixtures in this tri-nation series.