Proteas women earn consolation victory against Sri Lanka in tri-series clash

South Africa secured a consolation win on Friday, coasting to a 76 run victory over Sri Lanka in their last match of the women’s ODI tri-series in Colombo.

Chasing 316 runs to win, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 239 in the 43rd over of their innings, with captain Chamari Athapaththu top scoring for her team after making 52 off 57 deliveries.

Having contributed her second successive half-century earlier in the match, Chloe Tryon shone again with the ball, spearheading the Proteas attack by taking 5/34.

Dercksen and Tryon lead recovery

Earlier, after being sent in to bat, the Proteas found themselves in a spot of trouble at 85/5 in the 20th over.

However, all-rounders Annerie Dercksen and Tryon led a solid recovery, sharing 112 runs to rack up the highest partnership for the seventh wicket by a South African women’s pairing in ODI cricket.

Dercksen made 104 runs off 84 balls – her maiden international century and her third successive score of more than 60 runs. Tryon hit 74 off 51 balls, with both players bashing five sixes.

Dewmi Vihanga, who ripped through the Proteas top order, was the best of Sri Lanka’s bowlers, with the 19-year-old spinner taking career-best figures of 5/43 in her third ODI match.

The Proteas batters did enough, however, to lay the foundation for an impressive victory.

It was the SA team’s only win in four matches in the two-week tri-series tournament.

Sri Lanka will face India in the final in Colombo on Sunday.