South Africa rally to a dominant 10-wicket win in WC25
In a rain-curtailed ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 clash at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, South Africa produced a clinical chase to overpower Sri Lanka by 10 wickets. The win marked the Proteas’ fourth consecutive victory in the tournament, all of them by successful chases, and propelled them to second place on the points table with eight points from five games. Sri Lanka, the hosts, continued their uphill battle, slipping to their third defeat in five matches.
How the match unfolded
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka posted 105/6 in 20 overs following a rain delay that trimmed the game to a 20-over-a-side contest. South Africa’s bowlers kept Sri Lanka in check, with Nonkululeko Mlaba delivering a standout spell to claim three wickets and limit the hosts to a modest total.
In response, Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits took charge with a steady partnership that laid a strong foundation. The openers added 25 runs in the powerplay, setting the stage for a swift pursuit. Wolvaardt reached her 37th ODI half-century—her second of the tournament—before Brits took over the accelerator. Brits reached a delightful fifty with a six off the final delivery, sealing the win with 31 balls to spare.
Key moments from the chase
- Wolvaardt’s patient start helped stabilize the chase after the early rain interruption and set the tone for a controlled chase.
- Brits stepped into heavy-hitting mode once her fifty approached, transforming a steady foundation into a rapid finish.
- The Sri Lankan bowlers created pressure at times, but South Africa’s batters played smart, with boundaries finding gaps rather than forcing risky shots.
Bowling highlights and Sri Lanka’s innings
In the first innings, Mlaba’s three wickets were pivotal as South Africa restricted Sri Lanka to 105/7 in 20 overs. Vishmi Gunarathne top-scored with 34, but her innings was the lone bright spot as wickets fell at regular intervals, stalling any meaningful momentum for the hosts. After a cautious start, Sri Lanka struggled to build partnerships, and Mlaba’s dismissals—especially against key low-to-mid order batters—put South Africa firmly in control.
South Africa struck early in the chase, with Mlaba removing Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nadine de Klerk taking the crucial breakthrough with Kavisha Dilhari’s dismissal in the second over. The Proteas’ bowlers had Sri Lanka under pressure from the outset, and the middle and lower order failed to establish a length, allowing the chase to unfold with minimal drama.
What this means for both teams
The victory extends South Africa’s winning streak and strengthens their position ahead of their next match against Pakistan on October 21 at the same venue. A consistent performance in the chase underlines their readiness for the business end of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. For Sri Lanka, the loss compounds their ongoing struggle to register a win in the tournament, although they will hope to turn things around in their upcoming clash against Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai.
Fixtures and outlook
As the tournament progresses, South Africa’s balance of strong top-order batting and disciplined bowling makes them a formidable contender in WC25. Sri Lanka will need to convert competitive periods into sustained partnerships and improve their depth to climb the standings in subsequent fixtures.
With the stage set for another packed schedule, fans can expect more high-quality cricket as teams chase glory in this edition of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
