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Wolvaardt ton powers South Africa to victory over Sri Lanka

cricket13 April 2024 19:24| © SuperSport
By:Liryn de Jager
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Another captain’s innings of 110 not out by Laura Wolvaardt gave South Africa a seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley.

It was also the second time in nine innings that Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp (80*) had a 100 partnership.

The Proteas scored the winning runs with 14 balls to spare, finishing on 233 for three. This after Sri Lanka earlier were bowled out for 229.

South Africa now head to Potchefstroom for the third and final ODI on Wednesday (17 April) one up in the series after the first match in East London was called off because of bad weather.

There were hearts in mouths when Wolvaardt nicked the third delivery of the innings from Achini Kulasuriya but it luckily just fell short of the slip cordon.

Lara Goodall, in for the injured Tazmin Brits, didn’t bother the scorers too much as she lost her wicket for only 7 (18b, 1x4) to a successful lbw appeal by Achini Kulasuriya and with the South African score on 23.

Only four runs were added before South Africa lost their second wicket, that of Delmi Tucker (2, 4b) when Anuschka Sanjeewani took a sharp catch behind from the bowling of Oshadi Ranasinghe.

Wolvaardt and Sune Luus then steadied the ship, with their 50 partnership up in the 18th over.

THIRD CENTURY OF THE SEASON

The South African skipper’s sublime form with the bat continued when she scored her 32nd ODI half-ton, the third against Sri Lanka.

Inoka Ranaweera broke the partnership when she bowled Luus for 21 (39b, 2x4) and with the scoreboard on 86.

Kapp came in and started where Luus left off, also striking up a 50 partnership (47 balls) with Wolvaardt.

With 20 overs to go and seven wickets in hand, South Africa needed 85 runs for victory. The home team’s 150 was up in the 32nd over.

Lighting in the vicinity of the Diamond Oval forced players from the field in the 35th over for a short period.

South Africa were on 157 for three, needing 73 runs of 94 for victory.

Wolvaardt was on 80 and Kapp on 39, their partnership of 71 coming off 86 deliveries.

A powerful four from the bowling of Athapaththu gave Kapp her 50 of only 54 deliveries in the 39th over.

The 100 partnership with Wolvaardt followed in the next over.

With just 22 runs needed for victory, Wolvaardt racked up her third 100 of the season and her sixth overall.

THREE SCALPS EACH FOR KHAKA AND DE KLERK 

Earlier, Sri Lanka lost their first wicket with the score on 15 in the sixth over.

Masabata Klaas took a comfortable catch from the bowling of Ayabonga Khaka that saw the end of Vishmi Gunaratne for 7 (17b, 1x4).

With the score on 73 for one in the 18th over and with De Klerk bowling, Lara Goodall’s safe hands resulted in the wicket of Hasini Perera for 15 (35b, 2x4).

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, the second-best ODI batter in the world, had to walk back for 51 (69b, 9x4) when Nonkululeko Mlaba took a sliding catch from the bowling of De Klerk.

It was Athapaththu’s 16th half-ton in this format of the game. Sri Lanka were 92 for three.

The visitors lost their fourth wicket with the score on 153 in the 36th over when Hansima Karunaratne had to walk back for 33 (60b, 2x4, 1x6).

Nonkululeko Mlaba caused a mini-collapse in the 39th over and with the score on 173 with back-to-back dismissals.

First she bowled Dilhari for 42 (41b, 1x4) and then she took a catch from her own bowling that saw the back of Sanjeewa.

Sri Lanka lost their seventh wicket and Klaas picked up her first when the South African bowled Ranasinghe for 20 (27b, 2x4).

The score was 214 for seven. Three runs later Kawya Kavindi had to walk back for 2 (2b) when De Klerk held onto a Eliz-mari Marx delivery.

Kulasuriya (2, 5b) became De Klerk’s third scalp when Mlaba safely moved in underneath the ball. Sri Lanka were 225 for nine.

The last wicket to fall was that of Nilakshika Silva for 36 (42b, 3x4) with Wolvaardt taking the catch of Khaka’s bowling, her third wicket.

South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Lara Goodall, Delmi Tucker, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Nadine de Klerk, Eliz-mari Marx, Sinalo Jafta, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka.

Sri Lanka Women: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Inoka Ranaweera, Hasini Perera, Kawya Kavindi, Achini Kulasuriya, Hansima Karunaratne.

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