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.
