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The Proteas women had no answers as Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama led a run rampage to guide Sri Lanka to a historic four-wicket win in the final T20 at Buffalo Park in East London on Wednesday.
With that victory, Sri Lanka registered their first-ever series triumph against South Africa, claiming a 2-1 victory. It was also Sri Lanka's highest-ever successful run chase.
Chasing a modest 156 to win, Sri Lanka lost the early wicket of opener Vishmi Gunaratne (1), who was caught at cover off the bowling of Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/26).
That might've been the last time the Proteas were in the game because from then on, it was all Sri Lanka.
A majestic 97-run stand between Athapaththu and Harshitha took the game away from a sloppy Proteas outfit. They continued to keep up with the required run rate as they rotated the strike and slapped the odd boundary.
Athapaththu, in particular, was in devastating form, leading from the front as she brought up her ninth T20 fifty.
She smashed a career-best 73 off 46 balls (hitting seven fours and five sixes) before Marizanne Kapp broke the partnership, bowling the Sri Lankan captain.
Harshitha, however, continued where Athapaththu left off and brought up her fifth T20 fifty before ending unbeaten on 54 off 43 balls (hitting four fours and a six).
With Sri Lanka needing only one run for victory, Nadine de Klerk showed some fight as she took back-to-back wickets to end on two for 25. Her efforts weren't enough as Sri Lanka cruised to victory with five balls to spare.
Earlier on, captain Laura Wolvaardt brought up another gritty fifty after the Proteas women were sent to bat first.
Wolvaardt was at the non-striker's end as she watched a horrid Proteas top-order collapse as the hosts continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.
Both Kapp and Sune Luus gifted their wickets away as they were caught and bowled for 8 and 5, respectively.
Anneke Bosch, who was fresh from a T20 fifty in Saturday's game, provided a handy 27 off 21 balls before she found the fielder on the deep midwicket boundary.
Wolvaardt, who was dropped on 47, once again led her side from the front with her 11th T20I half-century.
A 54-run stand between Wolvaardt and De Klerk formed, with the Proteas all-rounder smashing four fours and three sixes.
Wolvaardt couldn't match De Klerk's explosive batting (having not had much of the strike for the final 10 overs) and was eventually bowled for 56 off 47 balls, including eight fours.
Sugandika Kumari was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowling attack as she ended on three for 24 in her four overs.
The two teams now turn their attention to next week's three ODIs.
Scores in brief:
South Africa 155-6 in 20 (Wolvaardt 56, De Klerk 44*, Kumari 3/24, Priyadharshani 1/18)
Sri Lanka 156-6 in 19.1 (Athapaththu 73, Harshitha 54*, De Klerk 2/25, Kapp 1/24)
Sri Lanka won by four wickets
03 April 21:01
Nadine de Klerk picks up two wickets in two balls but Sri Lanka need only one run to win...
03 April 20:58
FIFTY!
Harshitha Samarawickrama smashes a maximum over deep midwicket to bring up her fifth T20 half-century.
If Sri Lanka succeed, this will be their highest winning run-chase and it'll be their first-ever series win against South Africa.
03 April 20:54
WICKET!
It's not the danger batter but a welcomed wicket for Tumi Sekhukhune.
Hasini Perera advances but is deceived by the pace and is bowled out for 10.
SL 135-4
Sri Lanka need 20 from 16
03 April 20:52
Sri Lanka need 21 from 18 balls.
Hasini Perera is dropped on 9 by Nadine de Klerk off her own bowling. The ball is skied high in the air and while calling for the catch, De Klerk misjudged and they ran for a single.
Harshitha Samarawickrama is four runs away from her fifth T20 fifty.
SL 135-3 after 17
03 April 20:44
5 overs to go?
Sri Lanka are inching closer to history as they require just 35 off 30 balls.
Harshitha Samarawickrama (39*) goes strong for the visitors as they continue to rotate the strike and pick up the odd boundary. The Proteas need to pull something out of their sleeve quickly!
SL 121-3 after 15
03 April 20:40
WICKET!
After being hit by Samarawickrama for consecutive boundaries, Eliz-mari Marx is relieved to get a wicket as Kavisha Dilhari slaps the ball straight to the safe hands of Nadine de Klerk and has to go for one.
The Proteas have a spring in their step but with Harshitha Samarawickrama still in, the Proteas need another wicket soon!
Harshitha continues to go strong on 37 with Hasini Perera in the middle.
SL 114-3 after 14
Sri Lanka need 42 runs from 36 balls
03 April 20:34
WICKET!
Bringing Kapp back has worked for the Proteas and has brought the end to Athapaththu!
Kapp frustrated captain Chamari Athapaththu with three dot deliveries, before the Sri Lankan skipper advanced down the wicket, attempted to nudge it over point but missed the ball entirely and is bowled out.
Athapaththu departs for a stunning 73 off 46 balls (hitting seven fours and five sixes) but leaves her side in a good position for a record T20 win.
SL 104-2 after 13
Sri Lanka need 52 runs from 42 balls
03 April 20:28
100 up for Sri Lanka
It almost seems like Sri Lanka are batting on a different pitch but the Proteas' body language is totally off with a few stumbles in the field.
Kapp brought back into the attack to bowl her final over and slow down the run-rate.
SL 100-1 after 12
Sri Lanka need 56 runs from 48 balls.
03 April 20:21
FIFTY and 10 overs to go!
Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu brings up her ninth T20 fifty!
However, an over before, Athapaththu was dropped on 47 by Eliz-mari Marx, who misjudged the ball and it went through her hands, at deep mid-wicket.
The partnership has grown to over 70-runs as Sri Lanka are going at 8 an over with the required rate dipping at 7. Trouble brewing for the hosts, they need a wicket desperately!
SL 82-1 after 10
Athapaththu 63*
Samarawickrama 18*
Sri Lanka need 74 runs from 60 balls.
03 April 20:12
The Proteas desperately search for a wicket!
An unbeaten 50-run stand between Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama has formed and Sri Lanka continue to keep up with the required run-rate.
Athapaththu smashes a powerful shot over deep midwicket boundary to move into her 40s and Sri Lanka need under 100 to win...
SL 63-1 after 8
Athapaththu 46*
Samarawickrama 15*
Sri Lanka need 93 runs in 72 balls.
03 April 20:00
5-over update:
Captain Chamari Athapaththu continues to go strong in Sri Lanka's run-chase as the visitors are par for the required run-rate of 7.80.
Some concern for the Proteas bowling attack as they continue to leak runs. SA need to a wicket to shift the momentum of the game.
SL 39-1 after 5
Athapaththu 26*
Samarawickrama 12*
Sri Lanka need 117 runs from 90 balls
03 April 19:52
WICKET
Nonkululeko Mlaba shares the new ball and strikes immediately!
Opener Vishmi Gunaratne, who scored a fifty in Sri Lanka's win on Saturday, tries to cut but the pitch is so slow and it lobs up in the air and safely to the Proteas captain at cover.
Gunaratne walks back for one and the Proteas rejoice!
But skipper Chamari Athapaththu pushes through with back-to-back boundaries, including a six.
SL 16-1 after 2
Athapaththu 14*
Samarawickrama 3*
03 April 19:30
INNINGS
Laura Wolvaardt and Nadine de Klerk helped guide the Proteas women to 155-6 in the third and deciding T20 against Sri Lanka in East London on Wednesday.
After being sent to bat first, Wolvaardt started strong before a top-order collapse saw the hosts lose wickets at regular intervals, much to the dismay of Wolvaardt at the non-striker's end.
Both Marizanne Kapp and Sune Luus gifted their wickets away as they were caught and bowled for 8 and 5, respectively.
Anneke Bosch, who was fresh from a T20 fifty in Saturday's game, provided a handy 27 off 21 balls before she found the fielder on the deep midwicket boundary.
Wolvaardt, who was dropped on 47, once again led her side from the front with her 11th T20I half-century.
A 54-run stand between Wolvaardt and De Klerk formed, with the Proteas all-rounder smashing four fours and three sixes.
Wolvaardt couldn't match De Klerk's explosive batting (having not had much of the strike for the final 10 overs) and was eventually bowled for 56 off 47 balls, including eight fours.
Sugandika Kumari was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowling attack as she ended on three for 24 in her four overs.
Scores in brief:
South Africa 155-6 in 20 (Wolvaardt 56, De Klerk 44*, Kumari 3/24, Priyadharshani 1/18)
Sri Lanka need 156 runs to win
03 April 19:21
WICKET
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt has to go after a splendid innings!
Wolvaardt tries to match De Klerk's antics from the previous, attempts a huge sweep but misses the ball completely and is bowled out.
Wolvaardt departs for 56 off 47 balls as Sugandika Kumari picks up her second scalp.
03 April 19:19
DE KLERK GOES WILD!
Nadine de Klerk shows why she is a firepower in the Proteas lower-order.
De Klerk smashes a four, six, six, six and four to hit 27 runs in the 18th over! What a display from the all-rounder!
An unbeaten 54 run stand has built between Wolvaardt and De Klerk. How far can they go?
SA 151-4 after 19
Wolvaardt 56*
De Klerk 44*
03 April 19:03
5 overs to go
The Proteas bring up their 100 mark but losing wickets at regular intervals has slowed the run-rate down considerable.
If South Africa continue to go at 7 an over, they're projected to make 140, while 8-runs an over, will get them to 145.
Wolvaardt, looking for strike, is still two runs away from her half-century...
SA 105-3 after 15
Wolvaardt 48*
De Klerk 7*
03 April 18:59
DROPPED and then WICKET
Firstly, skipper Wolvaardt is dropped on 47 as she flicks it straight back to the bowler but Dilhari drops it.
In the 14th over, Anneke Bosch loses her concentration and advances but doesn't quite hit it enough to clear the boundary, but finds the fielder at deep midwicket.
Bosch has to depart for a well-played 27 off 21 balls.
Nadine de Klerk joins Wolvaardt, who's been watching all this from the other end.
SA 98-4 after 14
Wolvaardt 47*
De Klerk 1*
03 April 18:50
Anneke Bosch continues her fine form and has raced to her 20s.
Bosch smashed three boundaries, including a massive six over the deep midwicket boundary.
SA 89-3 after 12
Wolvaardt 45*
Bosch 21*
03 April 18:42
10-over update:
The Proteas have lost their momentum after the three quick wickets lost in the last five overs. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt is seven runs away from a T20 fifty, however, she needs a partner to step in.
Luckily, Anneke Bosch comes off a T20 fifty in last Saturday's T20 in Potch. Can these two build a partnership on this slow and tricky wicket in East London?
SA 67-3 in 10
Wolvaardt 43*
Bosch 2*
03 April 18:39
WICKET!
It's not a run-out but Sune Luus hands the visitors another soft wicket.
Kavisha Dilhari is introduced into the attack and strikes as Luus tries to work the ball to the legside but gets a leading edge back to the bowler for a easy wicket.
Luus' poor summer form continues as she departs for five. Wolvaardt is losing partners quickly!
SA 66-3 after 9
Wolvaardt 43*
Bosch 1*
03 April 18:30
WICKET
Oh dear! Marizanne Kapp has gifted her wicket away.
Udeshika Prabodhani gets the big scalp as Kapp stands back, lobs the ball straight back to the bowler for an easy caught and bowled. A frustrated Kapp walks back for eight.
SA 54-2 after 7
Wolvaardt 36*
Luus 1*
03 April 18:22
WICKET!
Opener Tazmin Brits falls to Sugandika Kumari.
Brits goes wide and attempts to cut but gets a thick edge behind to the keeper and walks for seven off eight balls.
Marizanne Kapp joins the set-Wolvaardt, and immediately pushes for a lovely cover drive boundary.
SA 41-1 after 5
Wolvaardt 28*
Kapp 4*
03 April 18:14
Captain Laura Wolvaardt shrugs off her illness and has gotten the Proteas off to a solid start, hitting back-to-back boundaries.
SA 25-0 after 3
Wolvaardt 22*
Brits 2*
03 April 17:57
TEAMS
Sri Lanka Women: Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (w/k), Inoshi Priyadharshani, Achini Kulasuriya, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari
South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Nadine de Klerk, Karabo Meso (w/k), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Ayabonga Khaka, Eliz-mari Marx
03 April 17:44
TOSS
Sri Lanka has won the toss and asked the Proteas Women to bat in the T20 series decider.
03 April 17:00
After tonight's third and deciding T20, the Proteas will remain in East London, shifting their attention to one-day cricket as they face Sri Lanka in three ODIs.
The Proteas will name their ODI squad after the T20Is, with the first ODI scheduled next Tuesday at Buffalo Park.
Proteas women's T20 squad against Sri Lanka:
Laura Wolvaardt (Titans, Captain), Anneke Bosch (Titans), Tazmin Brits (Garden Route Badgers), Nadine de Klerk (Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Sinalo Jafta (Lions), Marizanne Kapp (Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (Lions), Masabata Klaas (Titans), Suné Luus (Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Titans), Karabo Meso (Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (Lions), Chloé Tryon (Lions)
03 April 16:49
Welcome to News24's live coverage of the third and final deciding T20I between the Proteas women and Sri Lanka at Buffalo Park in East London.
Play starts at 18:00.
The Proteas will be hoping for the return of captain Laura Wolvaardt, who missed the second T20I due to illness, following Sri Lanka's series-leveling seven-wicket win in Potchefstroom on Saturday.
