Chamari Athapaththu guides Sri Lanka to historic series victory against Proteas Women

By SABC Sport
3rd April 2024

Captain Chamari Athapaththu guided Sri Lanka to a maiden series victory over the Proteas Women after the visitors won the third and deciding T20 by four wickets in East London.

Opening batter Athapaththu struck a brisk 73 from 46 balls while Harshitha Samarawickrama scored an unbeaten 54 as Sri Lanka chased down a target of 156 with five balls to spare.

Nadine de Klerk was the pick of the Proteas' bowlers with figures of 2-25 in her four overs but the home side's attack was guilty of committing to many errors under pressure.

Earlier, Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt hit 54 off 47 deliveries to help the hosts post a total of 155-6 in their 20 overs that felt distinctly below-par.

The home team lost wickets at regular wickets throughout the innings with opener Wolvaardt the lone fighter throughout and found some support from Anneke Bosch (27).

De Klerk, coming in at number six, gave the home side some late momentum with an unbeaten 44 off just 25 balls that included three towering sixes but ultimately the total was nowhere near enough.

The teams will now prepare for a three-match ODI series that starts at the same venue on 9 April.