Opening ODI Win for Proteas vs Sri Lanka

The Momentum Proteas women opened their account with a clinical, seven-wicket victory against Sri Lanka at Senwes Park Stadium in Potchefstroom on Thursday. South Africa go one-nil up in the three-match One Day International (ODI) series.

(Click to read the scorecard at Cricinfo.com)

The bowlers did an outstanding job, taking quick wickets at regular intervals to restrict the visitors to 136 in 41.1 overs after asking them to bat first.

Dané van Niekerk was the leading wicket taker, claiming three wickets for 25 in her 10-over spell. Marcia Letsoalo, Shabnim Ismail and Sunette Loubser provided good support, taking 2/17, 2/19 and 2/31 respectively.

In reply, Trisha Chetty played a player of the match winning innings, scoring 53 runs off 93 balls to round off a good performance with the gloves, which included four catches and a stumping. Marizanne Kapp (44*) and skipper, Mignon du Preez (35) added valuable runs to get their side the win in 37.2 overs.

Chetty is happy with her performance and credits the bowlers for helping her take her catches and stumping. “I think it was a really good team effort that got us to the end result,” she said.

“The bowlers did a really good job, bowling the right areas to help me take those catches. It’s a wonderful feeling to start the series out with such a convincing win, I think we were clinical and showed our intent from the start.

“I would only like for us to continue getting better as we play. As good as this win feels, it’s important to brush up on the bowling areas that need it so we can have a similar, if not better performance in the next game.”

Sri Lanka’s captain, Shashikala Siriwardena is disappointed with the loss and hopes her side can bounce back from it quickly. She is mindful of the fact that they have a few new players who are still finding their feet, including debutante Nobet Ida, who was bowled without scoring.

“It is very sad to lose the way we did but we did come into this tour looking to try new combinations and to give our inexperienced players some game time. We did not have a good start and as we got a partnership started, South Africa would break it. Our middle order collapse hurt us.

“I hope we can get over this so that we can be in a position to win the second and third matches,” Siriwardena commented.

The two sides will meet at Senwes Park Stadium for the second match on Saturday, 26 October. Play starts at 10am and entrance is free.

(With editing by gsport)