Composed half-centuries from Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari steered Sri Lanka to a five-wicket victory over the Proteas Women in the second ODI of the Tri-Series at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Friday, 2 May, 2025.
All-rounder Annerie Dercksen top-scored for South Africa with an unbeaten maiden half-century, dispatching four fours and a six for a 60-ball 61, to help the Proteas to 235/9 before Samarawickrama (77 off 93 balls; 8 fours) and Dilhari (61 off 75 balls; 6 fours, 1 six) successfully anchored the hosts’ chase.
South Africa endured a stuttering start to their innings after being put in to bat by Sri Lanka. The Proteas lost both openers, Laura Wolvaardt (10) and Tazmin Brits (14), early on, courtesy of sharp spells from Malki Madara (4/50) and Sugandika Kumari (1/49) to leave the visitors reeling on 27/2
Lara Goodall (46) and Karabo Meso (9) tried to steady the innings, taking the score to 40/2 at the end of the powerplay. However, Inoka Ranaweera (1/33) removed Meso, and despite a promising 54-run stand between Goodall and Suné Luus (31), debutant Dewmi Vihanga (3/41) disrupted the recovery with quick strikes.
(File photo).
Vihanga dismissed both set batters in back-to-back overs, reducing South Africa to 121/5 after 21 overs.
South Africa turned to their power-hitters to regain control, with Chloé Tryon (35) and Dercksen putting on a vital 62-run stand. The partnership ended when Vihanga struck again, removing Tryon after a stunning one-handed catch by Nilakshika Silva in the deep.
ICC Pledge Support for Afghanistan Women Cricketers
The ICC has confirmed that it would be providing support for the Afghanistan’s women’s cricket…
Karabo Meso, Seshnie Naidu and Miané Smit Maiden Call-Ups in Proteas Women ODI Tri-Series Announcement
Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Monday named the Proteas Women squad for the upcoming One-Day…
Valencia Seshoene: “Being part of Media Teams for Women’s Teams has been an Eye-Opener”
Former gsport Intern Valencia Seshoene has been forging a successful path in sports media and…
“You Need to Run Your Own Race” Lessons from World Cup Finalist Kayla Reyneke
U19 SA Women’s Cricket captain Kayla Reyneke reflects on leading her team to a historic…
Western Province Beat Defending Champs Dolphins for Hollywoodbets Pro20 Trophy
Western Province capped a faultless season of Hollywoodbets Pro20 Cricket by thumping 2024 series defending…
Lions Women Thump Titans by 101 Runs to Lift Inaugural Hollywoodbets Pro50 Trophy
The DP World Lions Women thrashed the Fidelity Titans by a 101 runs in a…
Despite losing Tryon, Dercksen continued to attack the Sri Lankan bowlers, forging useful late partnerships with Nadine de Klerk (17) and Masabata Klaas (4) to notch up her first ODI fifty and career-best score in international cricket across all formats.
Madara returned at the death to cap a fine bowling display, claiming three late wickets, including de Klerk, Klaas, and Nonkululeko Mlaba (0), to restrict South Africa to 235/9 in their 50 overs.
Sri Lanka’s chase of 236 began shakily with captain Chamari Athapaththu (6) falling early to Masabata Klaas.
Hasini Perera (42) and Vishmi Gunaratne (29) then steadied the innings with a steady 69-run stand to regain control.
With Sri Lanka in the ascendancy, South Africa turned to their spinners to shift momentum. Mlaba (2/44) and Luus (1/34) struck in quick succession to remove both set batters. Their efforts left Sri Lanka at 90 for 3 after 18 overs, still requiring another 146 runs to seal victory.
Undeterred by the pressure, Dilhari and Samarawickrama combined for a match-defining partnership, constructing a 128-run stand to take the game beyond South Africa’s reach.
Though both were eventually dismissed, Sri Lanka went on to comfortably chase down the target, notching their first victory of the ODI Tri-Series.
The Proteas Women will next play on Wednesday, 77 May when they take on India at the same venue from 10h00 local time (06h30 SAST).
ODI Tri-Series Fixtures and Results at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo
Sun 27 April: 1st ODI India beat Sri Lanka by 9 wickets (with 56 balls remaining)
Tue 29 April: 2nd ODI India beat South Africa by 15 runs
Fri 2 May: 3rd ODI Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 5 wickets (with 21 balls remaining)
Sun 4 May: 4th ODI Sri Lanka vs India
Wed 7 May: 5th ODI South Africa vs India
Fri 9 May: 6th ODI Sri Lanka vs South Africa
Sun 11 May: FINAL 1st Place vs 2nd Place
(All Fixtures 06h30 CAT)
South Africa
Laura Wolvaardt
Tazmin Brits
Lara Goodall
Karabo Meso
Suné Luus
Annerie Dercksen
Chloe Tryon
Nadine de Klerk
Nonkululeko Mlaba
Masabata Klaas
Ayabonga Khaka
Sri Lanka
Chamari Athapaththu (capt.)
Hasini Perera
Harshitha Samarawickrama
Vishmi Gunaratne
Kaveesha Dilhari
Nilakshi de Silva
Anushka Sanjeewani
Dewmini Vihanga
Malki Madara
Sugandika Kumari
Inoka Ranaweera
Original Copy: Cricket South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Lara Goodall and Karabo Meso steered the Proteas Women score a of 40/2 at the end of first powerplay. South Africa lost their second Tri-Series ODI against hosts Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, on Friday, 2 May, 2025. All Photos: Sri Lanka Cricket
Photo 2 Caption: Annerie Dercksen top-scored for SA with an unbeaten maiden half-century to help the Proteas to 235/9 (File photo).
Photo 2 Caption: Lara Goodall was an early mainstay of the South African innings with a composed innings of 46 off 63 balls, with 5 fours.
