Proteas Women go down against Sri Lanka in Potch

The Proteas Women suffered a 7-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka yesterday (Saturday 30 March) in the second T20 International at the J.B. Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.

This despite a partisan home crowd cheering on the women in green and gold in hopes of sealing the series.

It was not to be for the Proteas Women who could not break a match winning 76-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Vishmi Gunaratne (65* off 57 balls) and Kaveesha Dilhari (45 off 28 balls).

The pair played superbly as they managed to reach the under-par score of 137/8. This was also 18-year old, Gunaratne’s first T20I half-century.

The SA batters stumbled in the middle and lower order after reaching 84/2 in 10 overs. It looked like they would easily reach 160, but a collapse saw Sri Lanka gaining the momentum. The top Proteas batter was Anneke Bosch who scored 50.

The Proteas also had a couple of needless run-outs with Suné Luus and Annerie Dercksen failing to reach their ground.

Marizanne Kapp also lost her wicket for 44 shortly thereafter, which had the Sri Lankans smiling.

SA started well with ball in hand, as Tumi Sekhukhune dismissed Sri Lanka captain, Chamari Athaphathu for 6. Debutant wicket-keeper, Karabo Meso, also took her first catch in the process.

Stand-in skipper, Nadine de Klerk, and Chloe Tryon also chipped in with wickets to leave Sri Lanka on 68/3.

This was to be the last success for SA as the two young Sri Lankans took their teams to a well-deserved victory. It is quite a turnaround for Sri Lanka who lost the first T20I by 79 runs.

SA captain, Laura Wolvaardt, missed the match due to sickness. SA will hope that she can return to fitness for the final T20 decider of the series which takes place on Wednesday, 3 April at Buffalo Park in East London.