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Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket team claimed a first-ever series win over the Proteas Women following their four-wicket win in East London on Wednesday night.
That was thanks to Chamari Athapaththu's destructive half-century, who combined with Harshitha Samarawickrama, with an unbeaten fifty, to prope the visitors to victory in the third T20 International at Buffalo Park.
Athapaththu smashed 12 boundaries, including seven fours and five sixes, on her way to a 46-ball 73, while Samarawickrama remained unbeaten with 54 runs off 43 deliveries.
Sri Lanka’s successful chase came after South Africa posted a total of 155/6, led by captain Laura Wolvaardt who made 56 off 47 balls after losing the toss and being asked to bat.
In their chase, Sri Lanka suffered an early hiccup when the in-form Vishmi Gunaratne (1) was dismissed with the first ball of the second.
But, the early wicket did little to slow down the subcontinent outfit as captain Athapaththu found her rhythm with the bat quickly to help push her team to 48/1 at the end of the field-restricted overs.
Wolvaardt, for her outstanding performances throughout the series, was awarded the Player of the Series, award.
The three-match ICC Women’s Championship One-Day International series gets underway with the first encounter on Tuesday, 9 April at the Buffalo Park Stadium from 14h00.
