In a clash brimming with significance, the Proteas Women gear up to face Sri Lanka in the third and final ICC Women's Championship (2022-25) one-day international (ODI) in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.
South Africa currently lead the series 1-0 after securing a seven-wicket victory in the second match following the washed-out opening encounter.
This pivotal ODI is set to unfold at the JB Marks Oval, with the action commencing at 2pm.
Tickets are on sale at the stadium and online via TicketPro, with the contest also aired live on SuperSport Grandstand (Channel 201).
The spotlight, however, is not only on the battle between the two nations but also on a remarkable individual milestone.
Ayabonga Khaka, the seasoned South African pacer, is poised to mark her 100th appearance in the ODI format, a testament to her dedication and prowess on the field since making her debut in 2012.
Reflecting on her imminent 100th cap, Khaka humbly shared, "I'm not the person that always looks at milestones. I enjoy playing for my country and I am honoured that I will have a possibility to achieve that tomorrow."
The iXesi-born seamer is poised to make history as she steps onto the field, becoming the ninth Proteas Women player to achieve the monumental 100-cap mark in ODI cricket.
PIONEERING BLACK FEMALE CRICKETER
In a groundbreaking moment, Khaka will also etch her name as the first black African woman and only the third Black African cricketer to achieve a century of matches in the 50-over format in the annals of South African cricket.
Amidst the anticipation surrounding her achievement, the DP World Lions bowler reflects on her journey as one of the pioneering black female cricketers, following in the footsteps of esteemed predecessors.
“To be honest, I'm just a cricketer. I'll take it that I'm achieving a milestone that other people have achieved. I'm not looking at it as I'm the first one, but I'm grateful to be part of the group that has achieved that. We have had great players before me and I'm just honoured to be part of them,”
With her name set to be carved alongside South Africa’s cricketing great Makhaya Ntini and legend-in-the-making Kagiso Rabada, Khaka finds solace in her role models and draws inspiration from their legacy.
“I always looked up to Makhaya Ntini when I was growing up. I could relate to him because we're coming from the same parts of the country. And with KG (Rabada), he's still going, he's still a youngster, but with the experience that he has, he's showing (up) each and every day. I'm grateful to be part of that list with those two great guys,” she noted.
As Khaka prepares to write another chapter in her career, memories of past battles and triumphs linger as she pinpoints her most memorable ODI performance in a South African shirt.
"The game against West Indies at Wanderers...I'll take that one," she reminisced, highlighting her maiden five-wicket haul recorded in the Super Over defeat against the West Indies on home soil in January 2022.
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s encounter following the seven-wicket win in the second ODI in Kimberley, which saw Khaka claim figures of 3-28, the 31-year-old remains focused on regaining confidence and hitting her stride with the ball, while staying cognisant of the team’s task in the ICC Women’s Championship.
“Fifty-over cricket for us is all about the points. The T20I series was about preparing for the T20 World Cup and this one is all about the points. We know how big it is and we are ready for it,” she added.
Proteas Women Squad (ODI) - Inbound Tour against Sri Lanka
Laura Wolvaardt (Fidelity Titans, Captain), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen* (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso* (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Delmi Tucker (World Sports Betting Western Province)
Uncapped*
RESULTS:
T20 International Series
1st T20I
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 79 runs
South Africa: 198/5 after 20 overs; L. Wolvaardt 102 (63), M. Kapp 60 (40); A. Kulasuriya 2/39, I. Priyadharshani 1/25
Sri Lanka: 119 all out after 18.2 overs; H. Samarawickrama 38 (33), H. Perera 30 (18); A. Dercksen 2/15, T. Sekhukhune 2/25
2nd T20I
Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 7 wickets
South Africa: 137/8 after 20 overs; A. Bosch 50 (32), M. Kapp 44 (36); A. Kulasuriya 2/26, C. Athapaththu 1/18
Sri Lanka: 138/3 after 18.5 overs; V. Gunaratne 65* (57), K. Dilhari 45* (28); C. Tryon 1/14, N. de Klerk 1/27
3rd T20I
Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 4 wickets
South Africa: 155/6 after 20 overs; L. Wolvaardt 56 (47), N. de Klerk 44 (25); S. Kumari 3/24, I. Priyadharshani 1/18
Sri Lanka: 156/6 after 19.1 overs; C. Athapaththu 73 (46), H. Samarawickrama 54 (43); N. de Klerk 2/25, T. Sekhukhune 1/24
ICC Women’s Championship (2022-25) one-day international Series
1st ODI
No Result (Rain)
South Africa: 270/6 after 50 overs; T. Brits 116 (128), L. Wolvaardt 41 (57); O. Ranasinghe 2/42, K. Dilhari 2/47
Sri Lanka: 23/0 after 6.5 overs; C. Athapaththu 12* (19), V. Gunaratne 9* (22); M. Kapp 0/9, A. Khaka 0/13
2nd ODI
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets
Sri Lanka: 229 all out after 49.5 overs; C. Athapaththu 51 (69), K. Dilhari 42 (41); N. de Klerk 3/23, A. Khaka 3/28
South Africa: 233/3 after 47.4 overs; L. Wolvaardt 110* (141), M. Kapp 80* (84); A. Kulasuriya 1/35, I. Ranaweera 1/41
REMAINING FIXTURE:
Wednesday, 17 April at 2pm
3rd ODI - South Africa v Sri Lanka (JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom)