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There might not have been a match at all had the rains not cleared, the famously efficient groundstaff not sprung into action, and fans at the R. Premadasa Stadium here not held on through a damp evening.
But fate had other ideas — and a dramatic T20-style finish lit up the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 clash between Sri Lanka and South Africa.
South Africa held its nerve yet again, overcoming both weather and the Sri Lankan bowling unit to clinch a crucial 10-wicket win.
As it happened: SL vs SA Highlights, Women’s World Cup 2025: South Africa beats Sri Lanka by 10 wickets
Openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits took their time early on. But the skipper stepped on the gas in the second over, going down the track to loft the first boundary over mid-off. From there, the pair settled into a fluent rhythm to chase down the DLS-adjusted 121-run target with ease.
The skipper got to her half-century with a well-timed boundary between long on and deep midwicket. But by then, Sri Lanka had lost all hope of a first win in front of a scattered but enthusiastic home crowd. Brits finished the chase in style, smacking Piumi Wathsala over deep midwicket for six, bringing up her fifty as well.
Mlaba, with 11 wickets in this campaign, is second to only Annabel Sutherland (12) in the wicket-takes’ tally.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images
Mlaba, with 11 wickets in this campaign, is second to only Annabel Sutherland (12) in the wicket-takes’ tally.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images
The foundation of South Africa’s win was laid by Nonkululeko Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk, whose disciplined spells restricted Sri Lanka’s ambitions. Mlaba, in particular, turned the tide in the final over with three wickets in four balls (which included a run out).
She ended a threatening 40-run fifth-wicket stand between Nilakshika Silva — Sri Lanka’s fastest ODI half-centurion — and a gutsy Vishmi Gunaratne, who returned to bat after being stretchered off with a knee injury earlier in the PowerPlay.
Silva was the first to fall, mistiming a big swing to deep midwicket. Substitute fielder Anneke Bosch then effected a sharp run-out to dismiss Anushka Sanjeewani, before Gunaratne edged the last ball behind to teenage World Cup debutant Karabo Meso, who took a clean catch.
Returning to the middle after more than a five-hour-long rain delay, Sri Lanka had just eight overs to go big. Despite flashes of resistance, the home side fell short, and South Africa cantered to victory.
Published on Oct 17, 2025
