• Wolvaardt’s heroics not enough for Proteas Women

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    Laura Wolvaardt’s unbeaten 184 was in vain as the Proteas suffered a six-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in the third ODI in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.

    Wolvaardt’s performance was overshadowed by Chamari Athapaththu’s 195* off 139 deliveries. the third-highest individual score in women’s ODI cricket.

    Athapaththu was well-supported by Nilakshika Silva, who scored 50* off 71 balls.

    This came in a record-breaking response to South Africa’s formidable total of 301-5.

    Having been put into bat, the Proteas made a strong start with openers Wolvaardt and Lara Goodall (31) reaching 46-0 in the powerplay. Wolvaardt accelerated, reaching a rapid half-century off 35 balls, including 24 runs off Kawya Kavindi’s fourth over.

    Wolvaardt and Goodall took South Africa to 116-0, before Kaveesha Dilhari (2-47) removed Goodal.

    Two dismissals then came in quick succession with Delmi Tucker (one) and Suné Luus (nought), departing via a run-out and an lbw off the bowling of Athapaththu respectively, to leave South Africa 124-3 in the 25th over.

    The experienced Marizanne Kapp joined Wolvaardt at the crease as the pair continued their fine form from the previous match, combining for an innings-steadying 63 runs for the fourth wicket with Wolvaardt bringing up a second consecutive century and the seventh of her career.

    With the home side’s tails up, a mix-up between the two in-batters then resulted in the run out of Kapp (36) in the 35th over following a direct hit from Kavindi before the Proteas advanced to 200-4 after 38 overs.

    Wolvaardt and Nadine de Klerk (35) added a valuable 92 runs for the fifth wicket to take South Africa to 279-4 before De Klerk became Dilhari’s second scalp of the afternoon.

    South Africa eventually ended on a commanding 301-5.

    In response, Sri Lanka began steadily, with Vishmi Gunaratne (26) and Athapaththu forming a solid opening partnership. They reached 55-0 after 10 overs before Tucker dismissed Gunaratne.

    South Africa continued to pick up wickets, with De Klerk (1-59) removing Prasadani Weerakkody (four) and Ayabonga Khaka (2-54) claiming two quick wickets in her 100th ODI.

    However, Athapaththu led the charge for Sri Lanka and an unbeaten partnership of 179 with Silva guided Sri Lanka to victory with 33 balls to spare.

    The series was shared 1-1 after the opening match was rained out and the Proteas won the second by seven wickets.

    Athapaththu was named the Player of the Match, while Wolvaardt received the Player of the Series award for scoring 335 runs in three matches, including two centuries.

    Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

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    Simon Borchardt