Sri Lanka delivered a memorable efficiency within the third match of the Girls’s ODI Tri-Sequence in opposition to South Africa on the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, securing an exciting five-wicket win with 21 balls to spare. After successful the toss and electing to bowl, Sri Lanka restricted South Africa to a aggressive 235 for 9 of their 50 overs, setting the stage for a gripping chase that was finally outlined by a match-winning partnership between Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari.
Malki Madara’s four-wicket haul halts South Africa’s gritty first innings
South Africa’s innings was anchored by a combating half-century from Annerie Dercksen, who remained unbeaten on 61 off 60 balls, and helpful contributions from Lara Goodall (46) and Chloe Tryon (35). Nevertheless, their progress was regularly checked by disciplined Sri Lankan bowling, particularly from Malki Madara, who completed with distinctive figures of 4 for 50 in her 10 overs. Madara’s essential breakthroughs included the dismissals of captain Laura Wolvaardt and key middle-order batters, retaining the South African scoring fee in examine all through the innings. Supporting roles from Dewmi Vihanga (3/41) and Inoka Ranaweera (1/33) ensured that South Africa’s complete, whereas respectable, by no means spiraled out of attain.
South Africa’s innings unfolded in phases: a shaky begin with two early wickets within the first powerplay, a steadying partnership between Goodall and Sune Luus, and a late flourish led by Dercksen and Tryon. Regardless of these efforts, Sri Lanka’s bowlers maintained stress, with common wickets and tight spells, particularly within the dying overs. The whole of 235, on batting floor, appeared difficult however not insurmountable.
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Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari shine within the chase
Sri Lanka’s chase started cautiously after the early lack of skipper Chamari Athapaththu. Hasini Perera (42) and Vishmi Gunaratne (29) supplied a stable platform, taking the crew to 78 for two. Nevertheless, the defining partnership of the match was between Samarawickrama and Dilhari. The duo added 128 runs for the fourth wicket, mixing warning with aggression to maintain the required fee properly inside attain.
Samarawickrama, the main run-scorer for Sri Lanka in 2025, showcased her composure and sophistication with a well-paced 77 off 93 balls, steering the innings by way of the center overs. Dilhari, alternatively, performed a fluent knock of 61 off 75 deliveries, punctuated by six fours and a six, bringing her crew inside touching distance of the goal. Their partnership not solely stabilized the innings after a minor wobble but additionally accelerated on the proper moments, taking the sport away from South Africa.
By the point Dilhari was dismissed within the forty fourth over, Sri Lanka wanted simply 18 runs from 38 balls. Nilakshika Silva’s quickfire 11* ensured there have been no late jitters, because the hosts accomplished the chase with 5 wickets and over three overs to spare.
A dominant win for Sri Lanka 💪#SLvsSA #WomensODITriSeries pic.twitter.com/OUKvcqysAu
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) Could 2, 2025
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This text was first revealed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Instances firm.