Sri Lanka Women beat South Africa by 5 wickets in their tri-series match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday.

South Africa, put in to bat, had a poor start, losing both their openers in the first power play. 

Following her century against India, Tazmin Brits was bowled by left-arm spinner Sugandika Kumari’s arm ball for 14, and Laura Wolvaardt was castled by a brilliant leg-cutter from Sri Lanka’s only pace bowler, Malki Madara, who went on to complete the excellent figures of 4-50 after capturing two wickets in her final over.

An excellent maiden half-century by Annerie Dercksen enabled South Africa to reach 235 for nine at th end of their innings. 

At the halfway mark, South Africa’s 235 looked like a competitive total, especially after Chamari Athapaththu fell early. But Sri Lanka’s middle order rose to the occasion in style. 

Hasini Perera and Gunaratne steadied the innings before Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari took charge with a superb 128-run partnership—the highest for Sri Lanka in WODIs for the fourth wicket. 

Both batters struck half-centuries and rotated the strike smartly, setting up a clinical chase. Though neither finished the job, the platform they built was more than enough as Nilakshi de Silva sealed victory with a stylish shot over midwicket. 

South Africa, despite an early breakthrough, couldn’t maintain pressure. Khaka was expensive and Klaas was underused, not returning until the 38th over. 

Mlaba picked up two wickets, but the lack of consistent breakthroughs hurt them as Sri Lanka coasted to one of their most convincing run-chases in Women’s ODIs.

Squads:

South Africa Women Squad: Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Lara Goodall, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta(w), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Karabo Meso, Miane Smit, Nondumiso Shangase, Seshnie Naidu

Sri Lanka Women Squad: Chamari Athapaththu(c), Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Manudi Nanayakkara, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani(w), Sugandika Kumari, Malki Madara, Kavisha Dilhari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Achini Kulasuriya, Inoka Ranaweera, Hasini Perera, Hansima Karunaratne, Rashmika Sewwandi, Dewmi Vihanga, Piyumi Wathsala

--Agencies