The Proteas suffered their second defeat in a row in the tri-series after losing to Sri Lanka by 5 wickets.
Even though the Proteas posted a respectable total, they seemed to be always chasing the match. Sri Lankan bowlers removed South Africa’s dangerous opening pair of Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits with in 7 overs, and the batters scored 10 and 17, respectively
The repair work was left for Lara Goodall and Karabo Meso to rebuild the Proteas’ innings. Meso struggled yet again batting at number for as she was dismissed for 9, leaving the Proteas at 59 for 3.
Sune Luus joined Goodall for the fourth wicket, and the pair put on 54 together. Goodall was finally dismissed for 45 runs after coming down the wicket and hitting a ball at long off, unfortunately she did not properly connect with the ball as she was caught by Nilakshika Silva of the bowling of Dewmi Vihanga. Seven runs later, Luus (31) became Vihanga second international wicket.
Another rescue mission was started by Chloe Tryon and Annerie Dercksen, who took the Proteas from 120 for 5 to 182. Tryon was dismissed for 35, and Vihanga took another important wicket for Sri Lanka to finish with debut figures of 3 for 41 for the 19 year old.
The rest of the lower-order helped Dercksen to give South Africa a total of 235 for 9 in 50 overs. Dercksen finished the match with an unbeaten 61 of 60 balls. The Garden Route Badgers batting all-rounder is in good form after scoring in the first match, a 20 ball 30 against India.
In reply, Sri Lanka lost their captain Chamari Athapaththu for 6 at the start of the third over thanks to Masabata Klaas. The was the only win South Africa would have in the innings. The Sri Lankan batters controlled the chase with partners of 67 for the second wicket and the one that killed the South African spirit, the fourth wicket partnership of 128. Harshitha Samarawickrama and
Kavisha Dilhari combined well and showed South Africa the value of a big stand in the middle order.
South African bowlers struggled for the second match in a row to have a bowler that could tear through the opposition. Nonkululeko Mlaba was against the best bolwer with 2 for 44. Nadine de Klerk was the most economical with 1 for 32 in her 8.3 overs.
Ayabonga Khaka struggled with figures of 0 for 40 in 5 overs. That will be a concern for the Proteas coaching staff because Ayabonga is the Proteas ace bowler after Marizanne Kapp. In the absence of Kapp, Khaka should be leading the bowling attack. At 32 years old, she is no longer a youngster. She has played at every major cricketing nation. She has the experience, and she has to step up and lead.
The Sri Lankan batters would reach the target with only 5 wickets down and 21 bowlers remaining.
South Africa will play their next match on Tuesday against India. They need to win that match to keep their hopes alive if they want to reach the final of the tri-series. On Sunday, Sri Lanka meet India for their second match.
Pic cred: CSA
