Proteas Women fall short in record ODI run-chase despite Tazmin Brits century

Set a target of 277, Brits and captain Laura Wolvaardt gave the Proteas the perfect start when the duo put on 140 for the first wicket.

The partnership was broken in the 28th over when Wolvaardt was trapped lbw by off-spinner Deepti Sharma with the skipper walking back to dressing room after scoring 49 from 75 balls.

Lara Goodall did not last long and fell for just nine before Brits was joined in the middle by 17-year-old debutant Karabo Meso.

Brits went on to reach her third ODI hundred in her 31st 50-over international appearance off just 103 balls but was forced to retire hurt shortly afterwards due to severe cramp.

Sune Luus struck 28 and Chloe Tryon 18 but the Proteas were constantly falling behind the required rate and were left with a mountain to climb.

Annerie Dercksen tried her best to keep the South Africans in with a shout, hammering three fours and a six to score 30 off just 20 deliveries.

Brits returned to the crease for one last attempt at glory but did last long and was eventually dismissed for 109 off 107 balls.

The Proteas kept losing wickets and collapsed from 240-4 to ultimately be bowled out for 261 in the final over of the innings with India spinner Sneh Rana finishing with figures of 5-43.

Earlier, the Proteas bowling attack struggled in the Colombo heat as India racked up a total of 276-6 in their 50 overs with Pratika Rawal top-scoring with 78.

Nonkululeko Mlaba was the best bowler on show for the Proteas with the left-arm spinner taking 2-55 in 10 overs.

The Proteas Women will take on host nation Sri Lanka in their next encounter at the same venue on Friday.

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