Proteas women lose two on the trot in ODI tri-series

The Proteas women have lost both their women’s ODI tri-series matches so far, following up their 15-run loss against India on Monday with a five-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka on Friday.

After posting what seemed to be a competitive score of 235–9 on a tough surface at R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo, the Proteas women could not penetrate the middle order of the Sri Lankan batting line.

The hosts powered home with 21 balls to spare, thanks to half-centuries by Harshitha Samarawickrama (77 runs off 93 balls) and Kavisha Dilhari (61 off 75). Their partnership of 128 runs took the game away from the South Africans.

Only Nonkululeko Mlaba (2–44), Suné Luus (1–34) and Nadine de Klerk (1–32) posed a threat with the ball while keeping the run rate down. But it was not to be.

Proteas women struggle in Colombo

Earlier, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first in a game where both sides needed a win after falling to India in their first matches.

South Africa struggled to muster a score of 239/9. Only Annerie Dercksen could manage a half century (61 off 60 balls) while Lara Goodall, batting third, scored 46 off 63 to steady the ship as early wickets fell around her.

Luus and Chloe Tryon reached the 30s (31 and 35, respectively) while no one else could scrape a respectable innings together.

The Sri Lankan bowlers shone thanks to the helpful surface. While Malki Madara (4–50) and 19-year-old debutant Dewmi Vihanga (3–41) took most of the scalps, captain Chamari Athapaththu kept the runs to a minimum, conceding just 36 in her 10 overs.

Next up, India and Sri Lanka play their second fixture on Sunday, while South Africa gets a second chance against India next Wednesday, and Sri Lanka that Friday.