How Did Madara and Samarawickrama Propel SL to a Five-Wicket Victory Over SA?
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Synopsis
Sri Lanka's women cricketers achieved a remarkable five-wicket victory over South Africa, thanks to the stellar performances of Malki Madara and Harshitha Samarawickrama. This win marks a significant milestone in their campaign, providing much-needed momentum as they prepare to face top contenders in the ODI tri-series. Can they maintain this winning streak?
Key Takeaways
- Malki Madara's exceptional bowling performance (4-50).
- Harshitha Samarawickrama's top score of 77 runs.
- Strong partnership between Samarawickrama and Dilhari (128 runs).
- Injuries impacted South Africa's performance.
- Sri Lanka aims to build momentum against India.
Colombo, May 2 (NationPress) - In a stunning display of bowling, seamer Malki Madara achieved an impressive 4-50 in just her second 50-over match, while Harshitha Samarawickrama topped the batting charts with a solid 77, leading Sri Lanka to a five-wicket triumph against South Africa. This victory marked Sri Lanka's first win in the women’s ODI tri-series at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Choosing to bowl first on a dry pitch, Sri Lanka quickly put South Africa under pressure, reducing them to 120/5 by the 29th over. Fast-bowling all-rounder Annerie Dercksen shone brightly, scoring an unbeaten 61, marking her first ODI half-century, and forming a crucial partnership of 62 runs for the sixth wicket with Chole Tryon, who contributed 33 runs.
Dercksen’s adept handling of spinners was key in propelling South Africa to a competitive total. For Sri Lanka, alongside Madara’s performance, debutant offspinner Dewmi Vihanga excelled with 3-41 in her ten overs. Inoka Ranaweera and Sugandika Kumari each claimed a wicket, allowing South Africa to finish at 235/9 in their allotted overs.
In response, Sri Lanka faced an early setback with the loss of skipper Chamari Athapaththu. However, Vishmi Gunaratne (29) and Hasini Perera (42) steadied the innings with a second-wicket partnership of 69 runs. Following their dismissals, Harshitha and Kavisha Dilhari formed a match-winning alliance of 128 runs, securing victory with 21 balls remaining.
The duo exhibited remarkable composure, capitalizing on loose deliveries while remaining patient, ultimately earning Sri Lanka two crucial points in the standings. South Africa's downfall was attributed to their spinners' struggle to adjust to the slow, dry pitch, coupled with injuries forcing players off the field.
Young Karabo Meso was substituted by Sinalo Jafta for wicketkeeping due to heat-related issues, while Sune Luus exited the game after injuring her right knee, later confirmed as a right patella contusion, with Nondumiso Shangase taking her place. Sri Lanka now looks to build on this victory as they prepare to face table-toppers India on May 4 in Colombo.
Brief scores:
South Africa 235/9 in 50 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.
Point of View
It is imperative to recognize the significance of this win for Sri Lankan women's cricket. The performance showcased not only individual talent but also the team's resilience and determination. This victory lays a strong foundation as they prepare for upcoming matches, particularly against formidable opponents. We are optimistic about their journey ahead.
NationPress
03/05/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the standout players in the match?
Malki Madara with her 4-50 and Harshitha Samarawickrama with 77 runs were the standout players in the match.
What was the final score of the match?
Sri Lanka scored 237 runs for the loss of 5 wickets, chasing down South Africa's total of 235 runs.
When will Sri Lanka play their next match?
Sri Lanka's next match is against India on May 4.
What challenges did South Africa face during the match?
South Africa struggled with injuries to key players and their spinners had difficulty adapting to the pitch conditions.
How significant is this win for Sri Lanka?
This win is crucial as it boosts the team's confidence and positions them better in the points table of the tri-series.
