Colombo: Openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits struck unbeaten half-centuries as South Africa dished out a thoroughly professional performance to outplay Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in a rain-curtailed game and inch closer to the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup here on Friday.
Set a target of 121 under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method after the match was reduced to a 20-overs-a-side contest following a rain interruption of more than five hours, South Africa rode on Wolvaardt’s 47-ball 60 not out and Tazmin Brits’s 42-ball 55 not out to complete the chase with as many as 31 deliveries to spare.
Brits finished the game with a flat six over midwicket, reflecting their dominance. South Africa reached 125 for no loss in 14.5 overs.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 105/7, with opener Vishmi Gunaratne top-scoring with 34 from 33 balls. South African left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba was the standout bowler, picking up 3 wickets for 30 runs, despite handling a wet and slippery ball.
Given the damp conditions and the strength of South Africa’s batting line-up, the 121-run target was always going to be difficult for Sri Lanka to defend. Wolvaardt and Brits played positively from the start, putting pressure on the bowlers and ensuring a smooth chase.
Sri Lanka had elected to bat first but found themselves at 37/2 in the first 10 overs. Rain then interrupted the game with the score at 46/2 after 12 overs. The match was halted for more than five hours as heavy showers swept over the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Ground staff worked tirelessly to get the field ready, and play resumed later in the evening with the game shortened to 20 overs per side. When play restarted, Sri Lanka looked to accelerate, and Kavisha Dilhari hit Mlaba for a six on the first ball. But South Africa quickly struck back, taking two wickets in two deliveries and slowing Sri Lanka’s scoring.
Gunaratne, who had earlier been taken off the field on a stretcher after injuring her knee while running, returned later in the innings and hit a few useful boundaries. Still, the hosts couldn’t post a big enough score, and South Africa’s chase never looked in doubt.
Before the rain, Masabata Klass gave South Africa an ideal start by removing Hasini Perera and skipper Chamari Athapaththu early.
Sri Lanka, still winless in the tournament, has only two points from five games — both coming from rain-abandoned matches against Australia and New Zealand.
Meanwhile, South Africa have bounced back strongly after a disastrous start (bowled out for just 69 against England) and are now on a four-match winning streak.
