Chamari Atapaththu elected to bat with the midday sun hiding behind the clouds yesterday, not envisaging the rain interruption, and that’s fair enough because you can not be prophetic about the weather, even the Department of Meteorology invariably get their predictions incorrect.
Sri Lanka rightfully got off to a cautious start, but the injury to Vishmy Gunaratne whilst crossing over for a single did break the rhythm a bit because Harshini Perera, who replaced her, was carseled by an in swinger by Mosabia Klass for just 4 runs with Sri Lanka on 30.
The South African seamers, namely Marizanne Kepp and Mosambia Klass, generated plenty of swing mainly due to the murky skyline atmosphere and humidity, which aided swing bowling.
Atapaththu was plumb in front by an in swinger yet again by Klass and was ruled Lbw for 11 with Sri Lanka on 37.
With the score on 46 for 2 wickets and Vishmy Gunaratne carried off a stretcher with a knee injury, mother nature spilled over, the rains a gate crashing spoiler throughout this ICC women’s world cup of the Sri Lankan segment.
The play was altered around 4 pm. When the skies cleared, match officials decided on a 20 over DLS target, hence, this was a huge disadvantage for Sri Lanka because the spin cordon had to grip a wet ball, hence without the grip and turn in such playing conditions.
Sri Lankan batters struggled with just 7.4 overs to compile a defendable total and made just 105 runs and lost 7 wickets in the process.
Seamer Mosambia Klass maintained her 2 for 18 off her quota of 5 overs whilst left arm orthodox spinner and one of the leading wicket takers in the World Cup so far Monkulka Malaba picked up 3 wickets for 30 runs.
Vishmy Gunaratne, thankfully, came back to bat after the injury and made 34 Samarawickrama 13, Kavisha Dilhari 14, and Nilukshi de Silva 18.
There’s not much to write home about because the Sri Lankan lassies had to change their game plan due to ,this interruption, and that’s not easy.
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South Africa was set a target of 124 runs in 20 overs , the wet ball, and the lack of grip off the surface for the Sri Lankan spin cordon helped South Africa to reach the target in 14.5 overs , with Skipper Laura Wolvaardt unbeaten on Player of the Match 60, and Tazmin Brits unbeaten on 55 , as South Africa recorded a 10 wickets comprehensively win.
Today, New Zealand plays Pakistan at the Premadasa stadium. The Kiwis will need a win to stay in contention for a semi-final spot. As I write this script, it’s By bright sunshine in no Colombo. Will it remain the same come 3 pm? Guess even the Department of Meteorology will not have an answer.