Middle order woes continue for Lankan women

The 2nd of the 3 Women’s Championship ODIs between Sri Lanka and South Africa finished in disappointing fashion for the visitors as they fell short by 30 runs (D/L Method), thereby conceding the series to the Proteas.

After losing the 1st Women’s ODI a couple of days back, Sri Lanka Women once again decided to chase against South Africa on what looked to be a batting friendly track in Potchefstroom.

The Proteas got off to a commendable start, posting 52 runs for the opening stand. Inoka Ranaweera made the breakthrough in the 9th over, picking up Andrie Steyn for 24 runs. Laura Wolvaardt together with Lara Goodall consolidated the middle overs for South Africa with fifty plus scores. The Lankan bowlers looked disciplined at first but leaked a lot of runs during the mid-stages of the innings. Teenage sensation Kavisha Dilhari gave the Lankans something to cheer about, picking up two wickets and an excellent runout to leave the Proteas in some disarray.

Spirited Lankan women’s efforts go to waste in the final over

After a whitewash in the T20 series the new look Sri Lankan women’s outfit gave a good fight to the Proteas before…

Marizanne Kapp’s innings of 69 off 34 balls was the highlight of the Protea innings as she single-handedly took South Africa to a respectable total of 268 for the loss of 7 wickets. Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Attapattu was expensive in the final few overs as she went for 34 runs in her three overs.

Sri Lanka women had the tough task of chasing 269 in their allocated 50 overs ahead of them. Chamari Attapattu and Prasadani Weerakkody gave Sri Lanka a dream start, positing 71 runs for the opening stand at a steady run rate of over five runs an over. Attapattu’s flashy cover drives were a treat to watch as the Lankans looked in complete control of the game.

Read More: South Africa seal the series despite Sri Lanka’s valiant fight

Anushka Sanjeewani joined Attapattu at the crease at 71 for the loss of one but unfortunately Attapattu fell six runs shorts of her century at a crucial time to give South Africa the opening they needed.  The rain interruptions did not help the Lankan cause as the wickets kept tumbling. The Proteas were on their tip toes in the field as they ran out four batters bowling out Sri Lanka for 231 in the penultimate over of the Lankan innings.

Marizanne Kapp was adjudged Player of the Match for her all-round performance, scoring 64 runs in the crucial final overs of the match and picking up 2 wickets for 41 runs in her 9 overs.

Sri Lanka have a daunting task ahead of them in the 3rd Women’s ODI on the 17th of February at Potchefstroom as they look to finish the tour on a high.