South Africa Dominate Sri Lanka, Nearing Women’s World Cup Semifinals

  • October 17, 2025

The Rainbow Nation prolonged their dominant showing in the Women’s World Championship 2025, overcoming the Island nation by 10 wickets with 31 deliveries remaining at the R. Premadasa Venue in Colombo on Friday, October 17. This triumph indicated the Proteas’ fourth successive victory, subsequent to an unsteady commencement where they were bowled out for mere 69 against the English team. The achievement advances South Africa to the second spot in the points standings with eight points and a net run rate of -0.440, considerably reinforcing their semi-final aspirations. For the Island nation, the setback renders them without a win, implying they must secure victories in both outstanding contests to remain competitive.

Women’s World Championship 2025: Nonkululeko Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk Spearhead Proteas’ Bowling Efforts

The Island nation’s innings commenced on an unsettling note when Vishmi Gunaratne endured a strike on the left knee resulting from an acute throw from mid-on, mandating her stretcher removal. Her substitute, Hasini Perera, encountered rapid dismissal by Masabata Klaas for a mere four runs. Chamari Athapaththu prolonged her inconsistent form, succumbing for 11 runs, positioning the Island nation at 46/2 in the 12th over before rainfall temporarily suspended the game for five and a half hours. The encounter resumed with a truncated 20-over arrangement.

Kavisha Dilhari (14) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (13) contributed 26 runs for the third wicket, yet both experienced swift dismissals, Dilhari at the hands of Nadine de Klerk and Samarawickrama by left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba. Exhibiting notable tenacity, Vishmi made a comeback to bat and achieved the highest score with 34 runs, while Nilakshi de Silva incorporated 18 runs, elevating the Island nation to a modest 105/7. Mlaba distinguished herself as the foremost bowler with statistics of 3/30 across her four designated overs, whereas Marizanne Kapp concluded wicketless, although the intensity generated by South Africa’s bowling collective ensured the Island nation never regained pace.

Also WATCH: Masabata Klaas Eliminates Hasini Perera with an Exceptional Delivery in the SL vs SA Showdown at the Women’s World Championship 2025

Women’s World Championship 2025: Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits Command the Pursuit

In pursuit of the revised DLS objective of 121, South Africa initiated positively, with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits establishing command. Wolvaardt’s self-assured stroke execution, encompassing sharp boundaries off Malki Madara and Sugandika Kumari, sustained the Proteas ahead of the necessary tempo. Brits, subsequent to a challenging phase with successive ducks against the Indian side and Bangladesh, rebounded impressively with an assertive 55, featuring a towering six off Inoka Ranaweera.

The duo solidified their innings with a 50-plus collaboration in a mere 43 deliveries, steadily steering South Africa toward triumph. By the 13th over, Wolvaardt and Brits collectively hammered 18 runs off Kavisha Dilhari, determining the Island nation’s outcome. Wolvaardt attained her half-century from 41 deliveries, remaining unbeaten on 60 from 47 deliveries, while Brits concluded with a flourish, striking a six off Piumi Watshala to emphatically conclude the chase. The 10-wicket conquest underscored South Africa’s superiority and firmly positioned them on track for the semi-finals.

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This article was initially disseminated at WomenCricket.com, an entity affiliated with Cricket Times.

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