Chamari’s Exemplary Batting Paves the Way for Sri Lanka’s Record-Breaking Triumph

Sri Lanka Women’s tour of South Africa 2024

Chamari Athapaththu displayed exceptional batting skills as she carried her bat to lead Sri Lanka to a remarkable 6-wicket victory against the Proteas women in the third and final ODI in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.

South Africa, batting first, posted a massive total of 302 runs, thanks to captain Laura Wolvaardt’s career-best century. In response, Athapaththu led Sri Lanka’s fightback with a breathtaking hundred, remaining unbeaten on 195 runs to secure the win with 33 balls to spare.

Earlier, put into bat first, Laura Wolvaardt showcased her batting prowess by scoring the highest-ever score in a women’s ODI for South Africa.

Wolvaardt had a strong start, forming a dominant opening partnership of 116 runs with Lara Goodall. However, once Sri Lanka broke that partnership, the Proteas faced difficulties as Delmi Tucker was run out for one run, and Sune Luus was dismissed LBW by Athapaththu without scoring any runs.

South Africa however managed to regain some momentum with a 63-run partnership between Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp (36 runs) before Kapp was run out.

When wickets falling at one end, Wolvaardt stood firm and continued her fine form by sharing a 92-run sixth-wicket partnership with Nadine de Klerk, who contributed 35 runs.

At one stage it looked like South Africa could settle for a score between 250-275 but a late surge by the 24-year-old Wolvaardt saw they go past the 300 run mark.

Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 184 runs off 147 balls, including 23 fours and four sixes.

In response, the Sri Lankan innings had a fantastic start with Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne (26) forming a strong 90-run opening partnership.

However, the Proteas fought back and took a cluster of wickets.

Gunaratne was the first wicket to fall when she was trapped LBW by Delmi Tucker, while Prasadani Weerakkody (4) was caught by a diving Tucker off Nadine de Klerk, resulting in Sri Lanka slipping to 109/2 in the 19th over.

To make things worse for the visitors, Ayabonga Khaka then took charge and claimed two wickets in one over. She had Hansima Karunaratne (3) caught by keeper Sinalo Jafta and Kaveesha Dilhari dismissed for a second ball duck by Jafta down the leg side to reduce Sri Lanka to 126/4.

However, the Proteas couldn’t maintain their momentum as Athapaththu and Nilakshi Silva made sure no further casualties as the duo formed an unbeaten 179-run fifth-wicket partnership, leading their team to an incredible victory with 33 balls to spare.

Chamari remained unbeaten on 195 off 139 deliveries laced with 26 boundaries and 5 sixes while Nilakshi de Silva played an anchor role scoring unbaten 71 ball 50 runs.

The victory saw Sri Lanka squared the series 1-1 after the first game abounded due to rain. The lionesses’ win also marked a historic moment, being the first successful run-chase of over 300 in women’s ODIs.

Brief Scores:

South Africa 301-5 in 50 overs (Wolvaardt 184*, Kapp 36, Dilhari 2/47, Athapaththu 1/59)

Sri Lanka 306-4 in 44.3 overs (Athapaththu 195, De Silva 50, Khaka 2/54, Tucker 1/42)