Rain ruined the day for the Proteas Women in their first of three scheduled ICC Women’s Championship ODIs against Sri Lanka, in East London in the Eastern Cape, on Tuesday, 8 April 2024.
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first, and Tazmin Brits showcased her batting prowess with her second career hundred, boosting the home side to a competitive 270/6 in their alloted overs.
In reply, Vishmi Gunaratne and Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu compiled a steady unbeaten opening partnership of 23 before play was abandoned, due to persistent rain.
Earlier, Brits had led the South African charge with a commanding 116 off 128 balls, featuring a dozen boundaries, to guide South Africa to 270/6 after 50 overs.
Despite losing the toss and being tasked to bat first under overcast conditions at Buffalo Park Stadium, Laura Wolvaardt (41) and Brits forged a formidable opening partnership for the home side.
Within the opening powerplay, the pair amassed a half-century stand, propelling South Africa to 55/0 after 10 overs, before Brits brought up her second ODI fifty.
The partnership was broken when Wolvaardt was caught behind off Kaveesha Dilhari’s bowling (2/47), leaving the Proteas at 96/1 after 20 overs.
Brits found a new ally in Anneke Bosch (39), and they pushed South Africa past the 100-run mark, reaching 154/1 after 30 overs before Bosch fell, ending their 70-run partnership with Oshadi Ranasinghe (2/42) claiming the wicket. Brits then partnered with Suné Luus (22), adding 40 runs before Luus departed in the 41st over to Sungadika Kumari (2/67).
In a remarkable innings, Brits achieved her second ODI hundred in the 42nd over, but lost another partner in Marizanne Kapp (6) shortly after, leaving the Proteas at 220/4 after 44 overs. Brits’ exceptional performance ended on 116 in the 46th over, as an attempt to loft the ball over the bowler’s head resulted in Kumari taking a comfortable catch on the boundary.
With less than four overs remaining, all-rounder Nadine de Klerk’s quickfire 34 off 22 balls, alongside Delmi Tucker (8*), carried South Africa to a commanding total of 270/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
In response, Sri Lankan openers Vishmi Gunaratne (9*) and skipper Chamari Athapaththu (12*) got their side off to a solid start, reaching 23/0 after 6.5 overs before heavy rain interrupted play. Following a prolonged delay, the teams settled for a shared result, each earning one ICC Women’s Championship point.
The second ODI takes place on Saturday, 13 April at the Kimberley Oval in Kimberley at 14h00.
Fixtures and Results – South Africa Inbound Tour vs Sri Lanka 2023/24
T20 International Series
Wed 27 Mar: 1st T20I – South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 79 runs
Sat 30 Mar: 2nd T20I – South Africa lost to Sri Lanka by 7 wickets (7 balls rem.)
Wed 3 Apr: 3rd T20I – South Africa lost Sri Lanka by 4 wickets (5 balls rem.)
One-Day International Series – ICC Women’s Championship
Tue 9 Apr: 1st ODI – Match Drawn (Buffalo Park, East London)
Sat 13 Apr, 14h00: 2nd ODI – South Africa vs Sri Lanka (Diamond Oval, Kimberley)
Wed 17 Apr, 14h00: 3rd ODI – South Africa vs Sri Lanka (JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom)
Proteas Women Playing XI
Laura Wolvaardt (Captain)
Tazmin Brits
Anneke Bosch
Suné Luus
Marizanne Kapp
Nadine de Klerk
Delmi Tucker
Sinalo Jafta (WK)
Ayabonga Khaka
Masabata Klaas
Nonkululeko Mlaba
The Sri Lanka Playing XI
Vishmi Gunaratne
Chamari Athapaththu (Captain)
Nilakshi de Silva
Kavisha Dilhari
Anushka Sanjeewani (WK)
Oshadi Ranasinghe
Sugandika Kumari
Hasini Perera
Udeshika Prabodhani
Achini Kulasuriya
Harshitha Samarawickrama
Original Copy: Cricket South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Tazmin Brits hit a dozen sparkling boundaries for her second career century in the first ICC Women’s Championship One-Day International against Sri Lanka before rain had the final say, washing the match out for a shared result, in East London on Tuesday, 9 April, 2024. All Photo: CSA
Photo 2 Caption: Tazmin Brits in her ballerina celebration after reaching the career milestone on Tuesday. All Photo: CSA
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