10 Apr Brits’ Heroics In Vain As Rain Foils Proteas Women’s Victory Bid Against SRI Lanka
EAST LONDON: Tazmin Brits showcased her batting prowess with her second career hundred for the Proteas Women as the first ICC Women’s Championship (2022-25) One-Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka was abandoned due to persistent rain in East London on Tuesday.
Brits led the charge with a commanding 116 off 128 balls, inclusive of 12 fours, guiding South Africa to 270/6 after 50 overs before rain intervened in the seventh over of Sri Lanka’s innings, resulting in a no-result.
Despite losing the toss and being tasked to bat first under overcast conditions at Buffalo Park Stadium, Laura Wolvaardt (41) and Brits forged a formidable opening partnership for the home side.
Within the opening powerplay, the pair amassed a half-century stand, propelling South Africa to 55/0 after 10 overs, before Brits brought up her second ODI fifty.
The partnership was broken when Wolvaardt was caught behind off Kaveesha Dilhari’s bowling (2/47), leaving the Proteas at 96/1 after 20 overs.
Subsequently, Brits found a new ally in Anneke Bosch (39), as they pushed South Africa past the 100-run mark, reaching 154/1 after 30 overs before Bosch fell, ending their 70-run partnership with Oshadi Ranasinghe (2/42) claiming the wicket.
Brits then partnered with Suné Luus (22), adding 40 runs before Luus departed in the 41st over to Sungadika Kumari (2/67).
In a remarkable innings, Brits achieved her second ODI hundred in the 42nd over, but lost another partner in Marizanne Kapp (6) shortly after, leaving the Proteas at 220/4 after 44 overs.
Brits’ exceptional performance ended on 116 in the 46th over, as an attempt to loft the ball over the bowler’s head resulted in Kumari taking a comfortable catch on the boundary.
With less than four overs remaining, all-rounder Nadine de Klerk’s quickfire 34 off 22 balls, alongside Delmi Tucker (8*), carried South Africa to a commanding total of 270/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
In response, Sri Lankan openers Vishmi Gunaratne (9*) and skipper Chamari Athapaththu (12*) got their side off to a solid start, reaching 23/0 after 6.5 overs before heavy rain interrupted play.
Following a prolonged delay, the teams settled for a shared result, each earning one ICC Women’s Championship point.
The second ODI takes place on Saturday, 13 April at the Kimberley Oval in Kimberley at 14h00.
Proteas Women Squad (ODI) – 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), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso* (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Delmi Tucker (World Sports Betting Western Province)
Audio and video featuring Proteas Women batter Tazmin Brits may be downloaded here.
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
3rd T20I
Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 4 wickets
South Africa: 155/6 after 20 overs; L. Wolvaardt 56 (47), N. de Klerk 44 (25); S. Kumari 3/24, I. Priyadharshani 1/18
Sri Lanka: 156/6 after 19.1 overs; C. Athapaththu 73 (46), H. Samarawickrama 54 (43); N. de Klerk 2/25, T. Sekhukhune 1/24
ICC Women’s Championship (2022-25) One-Day International Series
1st ODI
No Result (Rain)
South Africa: 270/6 after 50 overs; T. Brits 116 (128), L. Wolvaardt 41 (57); O. Ranasinghe 2/42, K. Dilhari 2/47
Sri Lanka: 23/0 after 6.5 overs; C. Athapaththu 12* (19), V. Gunaratne 9* (22); M. Kapp 0/9, A. Khaka 0/13
One-Day International Series – ICC Women’s Championship:
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)
For media inquiries, please contact:
Lita Gqirana – Proteas Women Media Specialist
Cell.: (+27) 76 503 9655
Email: litag@cricket.co.za
ENDS
Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications
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