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Key Points

Sri Lanka secured a decisive victory in the women's ODI tri-series against South Africa with outstanding performances from emerging talents. Seamer Malki Madara was instrumental, taking 4 wickets in her second 50-over match, while Harshitha Samarawickrama anchored the chase with a brilliant 77 runs. The Sri Lankan team demonstrated remarkable resilience and strategic batting, overcoming early setbacks to win with 21 balls to spare. This win marks a significant moment for the Sri Lankan women's cricket team, showcasing their potential in international competitions.

Key Points: Madara's Magic Leads Sri Lanka Past South Africa in ODI Thriller

  • Malki Madara claims 4 crucial wickets in her second ODI
  • Harshitha Samarawickrama scores match-winning 77
  • Sri Lanka defeats South Africa by five wickets
  • Debutant Dewmi Vihanga impresses with 3 wickets
2 min read

Women's ODI tri-series: Madara, Samarawickrama lead SL to five-wicket win over SA

Sri Lanka clinches first win in women's tri-series with Madara's 4-wicket haul and Samarawickrama's brilliant 77

"Young players like Malki Madara are transforming our cricket - Team Management"

Colombo, May 2

Seamer Malki Madara picked a superb 4-50 in just her second 50-over game, before Harshitha Samarawickrama top-scored with 77 to help Sri Lanka register a five-wicket win over South Africa to grab their first win of the women’s ODI tri-series at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium here on Friday.

Electing to bowl first on a dry pitch, Sri Lanka managed to reduce South Africa to 120/5 in the 29th over, before fast-bowling all-rounder Annerie Dercksen continued to impress in international cricket by hitting an unbeaten 61, her first ODI half-century. She also shared a partnership of 62 for the sixth wicket with Chole Tryon, who made 33.

In Annerie’s knock, her handling of the spinners was a standout factor in taking South Africa to a competitive total. For Sri Lanka, apart from Malki, debutant offspinner Dewmi Vihanga took 3-41 on debut in her ten overs, while Inoka Ranaweera and Sugandika Kumari took a wicket each, as South Africa finished at 235/9 in their 50 overs.

In their chase of 236, Sri Lanka lost skipper Chamari Athapaththu cheaply, before Vishmi Gunaratne (29) and Hasini Perera (42) took charge by stitching a second-wicket stand of 69 runs. After the duo fell, Harshitha and Kavisha put on a match-winning stand of 128 runs to help Sri Lanka seal victory with 21 balls to spare.

The duo kept their patience and hit boundaries only on loose deliveries to help Sri Lanka grab those two points and go off the mark in the points table. What also caused South Africa’s downfall in the game was the inability of their spinners to adapt to the slow and dry pitch, as well as players going off the field.

Young Karabo Meso was replaced by Sinalo Jafta in wicketkeeping duties due to heat-related illness, while Sune Luus was forced off the field after jamming her right knee, which Cricket South Africa (CSA) later said was due to right patella contusion, and Nondumiso Shangase took her place on the field. Sri Lanka will now aim to capitalise on the win when they face table-toppers India in the next game on May 4 in Colombo.

Brief scores:

South Africa 235/9 in 20 overs (Annerie Dercksen 61 not out, Lara Goodall 46; Malki Madara 4-50, Dewmi Vihanga 3-41) lost to Sri Lanka 237/5 in 46.3 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 77, Kavisha Dilhari 61; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-44, Masabata Klaas 1-24) by five wickets

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
What a fantastic win for Sri Lanka! 🇱🇰 Malki Madara's 4-wicket haul in just her second ODI is outstanding. Shows how women's cricket is growing in our neighboring countries. Looking forward to their match against India - should be a cracker! 🔥
R
Rahul S.
Harshitha Samarawickrama played a captain's knock even without being captain! 77 runs under pressure shows her maturity. But our Indian team will be tougher opponents - our spinners won't be as easy to handle as SA's were today.
A
Ananya M.
The heat conditions in Colombo seem brutal - poor SA players suffering heat illness. ICC should consider scheduling matches in cooler months. Nevertheless, great to see young talents like Madara and Vihanga shining for SL! 🌟
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Vikram J.
SA's middle order collapse at 120/5 was the turning point. Dercksen's unbeaten 61 saved them from complete disaster. Shows how one player can change the game. But SL's chase was clinical - their partnership game was on point today.
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Shalini P.
As an Indian cricket fan, I'm happy to see our neighbors playing good cricket! But honestly, our women's team is in different league. Hope we get to see a competitive match on May 4. SL will need more than home advantage against Harmanpreet & Co. 💪
K
Karan D.
The 128-run partnership between Harshitha and Kavisha was pure class! They paced it perfectly - no unnecessary risks, just good cricket. This is how you chase a target. Hope our Indian team was watching and taking notes for their next match!

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