The eighteenth clash of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 promises a riveting encounter as Sri Lanka Women face South Africa Women on October 17th at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The contest begins at 3:00 PM IST, setting the stage for an enthralling battle between Sri Lanka’s spirited flair and South Africa’s resurgent confidence.
Sri Lanka enter this fixture hoping to revive their campaign after a stop-start journey in the tournament so far. They began strongly against India, reducing the hosts to 124/6 before falling short in a DLS-adjusted chase of 271 by 59 runs. Their second fixture against Australia was washed out due to relentless rain, while their third saw England bundle them out for 164 in pursuit of 254. A further washout against New Zealand left them craving consistency and momentum — both of which they’ll desperately seek on home soil.
South Africa, on the other hand, have staged an inspiring turnaround after a nightmarish start to their campaign. Following a crushing defeat to England — where they were bowled out for just 69 and lost by 10 wickets — they bounced back with poise and precision. Their bowlers dismantled New Zealand for 231 before completing the chase with 6 wickets to spare. Momentum carried through as they edged past India in a nerve-wracking chase of 252, followed by another composed pursuit of 233 in their latest fixture. With back-to-back wins, South Africa now looks like a rejuvenated side brimming with belief.
Squads:
Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Team
Chamari Athapaththu (C), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya
South Africa Women’s Cricket Team
Laura Wolvaardt (C), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase
Players to watch out:
Nilakshi de Silva
A beacon of consistency in Sri Lanka’s middle order, Nilakshi de Silva’s form has been a standout in recent months. Her fluent 75 against Bangladesh in the warm-ups and a breezy 35 off 29 against India showcased her composure under pressure. A brilliant 55* off 28 versus New Zealand further solidified her reputation as a dependable finisher. Across 51 ODIs, she has tallied 1,054 runs and chipped in with 4 wickets — a testament to her growing influence in both departments.
Kavisha Dilhari
The young all-rounder continues to bring quiet assurance to Sri Lanka’s setup. Despite not yet hitting her stride in the tournament, her all-round prowess remains vital. With 702 runs and 30 wickets in just 35 ODIs, Dilhari’s ability to stitch partnerships and provide crucial breakthroughs adds immense depth. Her match-winning potential could be decisive if conditions favour spin.
Tazmin Brits
After a shaky start, Tazmin Brits remains one of South Africa’s most dependable batters. Her last five innings include a superb century (101) amidst inconsistent scores of 5, 0, and 0 — a reminder of her capability to anchor innings when in form. With 1,525 runs in 43 ODIs, Brits combines patience with clean hitting, making her a cornerstone of the South African top order.
Masabata Klaas
While Klaas is yet to strike in this World Cup, her precision and consistency make her a vital cog in South Africa’s pace attack. Her tidy spells — 0/18, 0/36, and 0/22 — reflect discipline even without rewards. With 81 wickets in 85 ODIs and a best of 4/25, she remains a reliable option to apply pressure during the middle overs and exploit any early movement on offer.
Pitch:
The surface at the R. Premadasa Stadium is known for its even bounce and value for shots early on. Batters can capitalize during the first innings, with the average score hovering around 288. However, as the match progresses, spinners are likely to play a significant role under the lights. Teams winning the toss might lean towards bowling first, looking to exploit early seam movement and chase under a more predictable pitch later in the evening.
Weather:
Rain continues to cast a shadow over Colombo’s fixtures. The forecast for matchday indicates scattered thunderstorms throughout the day, with temperatures near 29°C and 78% humidity. A light 16 kph breeze may assist swing bowlers during the powerplay. With a 50% chance of rain, fans can only hope that the weather allows for a full contest after recent washouts.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Chamari Athapaththu, Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Inoka Ranaweera, Udeshika Prabodhani, Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Nadine de Klerk, Laura Wolvaardt
Match Details:
Date – October 17, 2025
Time – 3:00 PM IST
Venue – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Broadcast – Live on Star Sports Network | Streaming on JioCinema
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