Fresh off a defeat to India in the Women’s ODI Tri-Series 2025, it was time for the two wounded sides in South Africa and hosts Sri Lanka to face off in a must-win contest in the 3rd game of the Tri-Series at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
The Proteas retained the same side that took the field in their game against India. The home side, Sri Lanka, on the other hand, made as many as three changes to their side. Vishmi Gunaratne replaced Piumi Badalge, Dewmi Vihanga replaced Hansima Karunaratne, and Sugandika Kumari replaced Achini Kulasuriya in their 11 for the contest.
Annerie Dercksen’s maiden ODI half-century guides South Africa to a respectable total
The Sri Lankan new-ball bowlers, Malki Madara and Sugandika Kumari, got their side off to an ideal start, sending both the South African openers, including their skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, back to the pavilion inside the powerplay after the home side skipper, Chamari Athapaththu, won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Wicket-keeper batter Karabo Meso joined Lara Goodall at the crease, and the duo led some sort of a recovery with a much-needed 32-run partnership for the 3rd wicket. Inoka Ranaweera picked up the wicket of the wicket-keeper batter Karabo Meso in the 17th over of the innings to provide the 3rd breakthrough for Sri Lanka.
Sune Luus joined Lara Goodall at the crease, and the pair took their side past the 100-run mark with another crucial 54-run partnership for the 4th wicket. Dewmi Vihanga broke the stand, by sending Lara Goodall (46 off 63 balls) back to the pavilion in the 27th over of the innings to provide the 4th breakthrough for the home side. She fell four runs short of her well-deserved half-century. Sune Luus (31 off 39 balls) soon followed her back to the pavilion to provide the 5th breakthrough for Sri Lanka in the 29th over of the innings.
Annerie Dercksen joined Chloe Tryon at the crease and the pair laid the platform with a solid 62-run partnership for the 6th wicket, taking them closer to the 200-run mark. Dewmi Vihanga returned and broke the ominous stand by sending a dangerous Chloe Tryon (35 off 40 balls) back to the pavilion in the 40th over of the innings to provide the 6th breakthrough for her side.
South Africa eventually posted a competitive total of 235/9 in their quota of 50 overs, on the back of Annerie Dercksen’s maiden ODI half-century 61* (60 balls), providing the finishing touches towards the end of the South African innings. Nadine de Klerk (17 off 25 balls) chipped in with a handy contribution with the bat for the visitors.
Malki Madara (10-0-50-4) was the stand-out performer with the ball, playing in just her 2nd ODI. Dewmi Vihanga (10-1-41-3) was also impressive with the ball, alongside Sugandika Kumari (10-0-49-1), skipper Chamari Athapaththu (10-0-36-0), and Inoka Ranaweera (6-1-33-1) in their spells for their side.
Fifties from Kavisha Dilhari and Harshitha Samarawickrama see Sri Lanka home
Chasing a tricky total of 236, the home side lost their skipper Chamari Athapaththu in the 3rd over of the run chase. Masabata Klaas provided the first breakthrough for South Africa. Vishmi Gunaratne joined Hasini Perera at the crease, and the duo bailed their side out of trouble with a much-needed 69-run partnership for the 2nd wicket.
Nonkululeko Mlaba broke the stand, by sending Vishmi Gunaratne (29 off 35 balls) back to the pavilion in the 15th over of the run chase to provide the crucial 2nd breakthrough for the Proteas. Opening batter Hasini Perera (42 off 55 balls) soon followed her back to the pavilion in the 18th over of the run chase to provide the 3rd breakthrough for the Laura Wolvaardt-led side. She yet again missed out on her elusive half-century.
Kavisha Dilhari, making her 100th international appearance for Sri Lanka at the age of 24, joined Harshitha Samarawickrama at the crease, and the pair took the fizz out of the run chase with a massive 128-run partnership for the 4th wicket, taking Sri Lanka on the verge of their first win in the series. Nonkululeko Mlaba returned and broke the ominous stand by sending Kavisha Dilhari (61 off 75 balls) back to the pavilion in the 44th over of the run chase to provide the much-needed 4th breakthrough for South Africa. She completed her 3rd ODI half-century before getting dismissed.
Sri Lanka eventually got over the line with 5 wickets in hand and 21 balls to spare. Harshitha Samarawickrama also completed her 4th ODI half-century and was the top-scorer with the bat for the home side, playing a crucial role in helping her side get their first points in the ongoing ODI Tri-nation series.
Nonkululeko Mlaba (10-1-44-2) and Nadine de Klerk (8.3-1-32-1) were the stand-out performers with the ball for South Africa, while Sune Luus (8-0-34-1) and Masabata Klaas (4-0-24-1) played their part with the ball for the visitors.
Harshitha Samarawickrama was awarded the Player of the Match for her match-winning innings (77 off 93 balls) for her side, playing a crucial role in getting the home side their first win in the series.
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