POTCHEFSTROOM: An undefeated partnership between Vishmi Gunaratne and Kaveesha Dilhari propelled Sri Lanka to a series-levelling victory by seven wickets in the second T20 International (T20I) against the Proteas Women at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Saturday.
Gunaratne excelled with a career-best 65* off 57 balls, striking nine fours and one six, while Player of the Match Dilhari played a swashbuckling 28-ball 45 during the successful chase of South Africa’s first innings total of 137/8 after Anneke Bosch led from the front with 50 off 32 deliveries (4 fours, 2 sixes) for the home side.
Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, the Proteas got off to a positive start at the crease as openers Bosch and Tazmin Brits (7) quickly progressed to 26/0 after three overs before Achini Kulasuriya (2/26) made an impact, dismissing Brits who dragged one onto her stumps on her 50th T20I.
Following the early setback, Bosch and the experienced all-rounder Marizanne Kapp began rebuilding effectively, taking South Africa to 48/1 at the end of the powerplay before reaching their half-century partnership for the second wicket.
Shortly after achieving her well-deserved fourth career T20I fifty, Bosch became the second wicket to fall as Dilhari (1/22) finally broke the 58-run partnership, leaving the hosts at 84/2 after 10 overs.
After the crucial breakthrough, Sri Lanka quickly picked up three more wickets as Suneě Luus (3) fell victim to a run-out, and Kapp was caught in the inner ring for 44 off the bowling of Inoshi Priyadharshani (1/21).
Chloeě Tryon (2), Annerie Dercksen (3), and debutant Karabo Meso (0) were also swiftly dismissed as another run out and wickets for Kulasuriya and Chamari Athapaththu (1/18) shifted the momentum of the match in Sri Lanka’s favour, leaving South Africa 118/7 with three overs remaining.
With stand-in captain Nadine de Klerk and Nonkululeko Mlaba (4) at the crease, South Africa eventually posted 137/8 after 20 overs, with Mlaba becoming the last wicket to fall to another run out while de Klerk remained unbeaten on a run-a-ball 16*.
Needing 138 to level the series, Sri Lanka faced a tough challenge in the initial four overs of their chase as South Africa restricted them to 16/0 before seamer Tumi Sekhukhune (1/27) dismissed Athapaththu (6), with Meso taking her maiden T20I catch behind the stumps.
Ending the powerplay on 37/1, young Gunaratne led the charge with the bat, forming a 31-run partnership with Harshitha Samarawickrama (12) to guide Sri Lanka past the 50-run mark after nine overs.
As the partnership gained momentum, Samarawickrama was bowled by Tryon (1/14), followed by de Klerk dismissing Hasini Perera (1), leaving Sri Lanka at 68/3 after 12 overs.
With 70 runs needed off 48 balls for victory, Sri Lanka’s in-form opener Gunaratne was joined by fellow youngster Dilhari. The duo showcased their temperament in a match-winning 76-run stand for the fourth wicket, with Gunaratne reaching her first-ever T20I fifty while Dilhari remained unbeaten on 45*, sealing a convincing seven-wicket triumph in the penultimate over.
The series decider is scheduled for Wednesday, April 3rd, at the Buffalo Park Stadium in East London, starting at 18h00.
Match Report
Proteas Women Squad (T20I Only) – Inbound Tour against Sri Lanka
Laura Wolvaardt (Fidelity Titans, Captain), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suneě Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso* (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Chloeě Tryon (DP World Lions)
Uncapped*
Results:
T20 International Series
1st T20I
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 79 runs
South Africa: 198/5 after 20 overs; L. Wolvaardt 102 (63), M. Kapp 60 (40); A. Kulasuriya 2/39, I. Priyadharshani 1/25
Sri Lanka: 119 all out after 18.2 overs; H. Samarawickrama 38 (33), H. Perera 30 (18); A. Dercksen 2/15, T. Sekhukhune 2/25
2nd T20I
Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 7 wickets
South Africa: 137/8 after 20 overs; A. Bosch 50 (32), M. Kapp 44 (36); A. Kulasuriya 2/26, C. Athapaththu 1/18
Sri Lanka: 138/3 after 18.5 overs; V. Gunaratne 65* (57), K. Dilhari 45* (28); C. Tryon 1/14, N. de Klerk 1/27
Fixtures – South Africa Inbound Tour vs Sri Lanka 2023/24 T20 International Series:
Wednesday, 03 April @ 18h00
3rd T20I – South Africa vs Sri Lanka (Buffalo Park, East London)
50-over Warm-Up Match:
Saturday, 06 April @ 10h00
South Africa XI vs Sri Lanka XI (Buffalo Park, East London)
One-Day International Series – ICC Women’s Championship: Tuesday, 09 April @ 14h00
1st ODI – South Africa vs Sri Lanka (Buffalo Park, East London) Saturday, 13 April @ 14h00
2nd ODI – South Africa vs Sri Lanka (Diamond Oval, Kimberley)
Wednesday, 17 April @ 14h00
3rd ODI – South Africa vs Sri Lanka (JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom)
Source: cricket.co.za
Alan Kourie was a spinning all-rounder who was apparently as boring to watch as Ken ‘Slasher’ Mackay, but he was effective. His bowling was just adequate. His stats were 16 matches, 23.94 average, 69 high score, 38 wickets, 33.90 average, 6-55 best, and three five-wicket innings.
magenta
Chris Gayle is the only batsman to hit a six off the first ball of a Test match – In the 137 years of Test cricket no cricketer has ever hit a six off the first ball of a Test match. Audacious Chris Gayle achieved this feat against Bangladesh in 2012 off debutant Sohag Gazi.
digital moonshine
The dubious honor of being called the worst Test batsman belongs to New Zealand’s Chris Martin. He has a poor batting average and only ever achieved double figures once. He was so bad that he even starred in an ad for Pulp Sport spoofing his (lack of) batting skills.