In a rain-cut short SA vs SL Women’s World Cup match in Colombo, South Africa chased a revised target of 121 with ease, with the help of half-centuries from openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits. Their unbeaten opening partnership gave a comprehensive 10-wicket win, South Africa’s fourth straight win in the tournament.
Sri Lanka Struggle in Rain-Marred First Innings
Sri Lanka, having chosen to bat first, started cautiously. Vishmi Gunaratne promised something early with some brave shots but got injured in the fifth over when she was hit on her knee by a throw. She had to be carried off the field, causing a massive setback to Sri Lanka’s batting strength.
After her departure, South Africa’s Masabata Klaas cashed in on the slowdown, ridding herself of the perilous Chamari Athapaththu and Hasini Perera, thereby reducing Sri Lanka to 46/2 by the 12th over. Just as they were attempting to regroup, torrential showers brought on a prolonged stoppage, shortening the game to one of 20 overs per side.
Post-Rain Push: Vishmi Returns, Mlaba Strikes
Following a break of almost five hours, Kavisha Dilhari served notice promptly, hitting a six off the first ball after the interval. But South Africa’s bowling attack applied the squeeze. Vishmi Gunaratne had a gallant comeback and scored the most with a gritty 34, supported by Nilakshi de Silva’s 18.
South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba was costly in the initial stages but did a magnificent job of redeeming herself by taking 3 for 30. She picked two wickets in the last over without giving away more than four runs, limiting Sri Lanka to 105/7 from 20 overs.
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SA vs SL: South African Openers Secure the Deal
Pursuing a new target of 121, the South African openers started steadily, avoiding any early jitters. Laura Wolvaardt (60)* and Tazmin Brits (55)* shared the strike nicely and punished loose balls, gaining momentum with clinical aggression.
Sri Lanka’s last hope faded in the 13th over, when Dilhari was taken for two boundaries each by both openers. Wolvaardt followed up with a pull shot for four off Athapaththu to bring up the 100-run mark, before Brits smashed Piumi Badalge for a boundary and a six to finish the chase in style at 125/0 in just 14.5 overs.
Milestones and Match Highlights
SA vs SL score: South Africa by 10 wickets
It was South Africa’s sixth 10-wicket victory in Women’s ODIs
Wolvaardt and Brits achieved their 7th ODI century partnership
Sri Lanka’s Vishmi Gunaratne scored a top score of 34 despite injury
Mlaba took the bowling with 3 wickets, and it was an important final over
Brief Scores – SA vs SL Women’s World Cup 2025
Sri Lanka: 105/7 in 20 overs
(Vishmi Gunaratne 34, Nilakshi de Silva 18; Nonkululeko Mlaba 3-30)
South Africa: 125/0 in 14.5 overs
(Laura Wolvaardt 60*, Tazmin Brits 55*)
Result: South Africa won by 10 wickets
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