IN a match where the Proteas women needed to secure a victory to stand a chance of featuring in the ongoing Tri-Nation series’ final, they fell short by 23 runs as India women beat them for the second consecutive time in the series on Wednesday in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The South Africans fought hard with the bat while chasing a mammoth 338 runs to win at the R Premadasa International Stadium and were led brilliantly by Annerie Dercksen, who followed up her maiden half-century from the previous match with a brilliant 81 runs.
The 24-year-old proved herself as a force to be reckoned with once again, as he took South Africa from 89/3 in the 19th over to 260 runs when she lost her wicket. The right-handed batter’s effort came off 80 deliveries and included five fours and two sixes.
🚨 MATCH RESULT 🚨
An outstanding fight from the Proteas Women in this thrilling run chase! 🏏🔥
A phenomenal display of skill and determination to stay in contention in the Tri-Nations Series 🏆.
Unfortunately, the result didn’t go our way — but it was a performance to be… pic.twitter.com/3wIb5WuuP5
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) May 7, 2025
Chloe Tryon, who stood in as captain for the ill Laura Wolvaardt, led by example, smashing five sixes and four fours on her way to a 43-ball 67 before she lost her wicket in the last over of the chase, leaving South Africa 27 runs away from the target.
All-rounder Nadine de Klerk (22*) was also instrumental with the bat as she struck a few boundaries to help South Africa go past the 300-run mark. Debutant Miane Smit (39) and Nondumiso Shangase (36) provided valuable contributions.
While the batting effort was exceptional despite the side missing key batters including Wolvaardt, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp and to an extent Sune Luus, the bowling and fielding effort was below par.
The bowling attack started well, reducing the Indians to 50/3 in the opening seven overs of the match, but could not maintain the pressure as they allowed Jemimah Rodrigues to score her second ODI century.
Rodrigues’ 123 played a key role in India posting 337 runs and assisted brilliantly by Deepti Sharma’s 93 and Smriti Mandhana’s 51. The South Africans dropped catches and misfielded on multiple occasions on Wednesday, however, Masabata Klaas (2/51), Nadine de Klerk (2/54) and Nonkululeko Mlaba (2/71) managed to pick up two wickets apiece.
The defeat means that the Proteas women are out of the final and will play Sri Lanka women without any pressure on Friday.
SCORERS
India Women: 337/8
Jemimah Rodrigues 123; Masabata Klaas 2/51
South Africa Women: 314/7
Annerie Dercksen 81; Amanjot Kaur 3/47
South Africa Women lost by 23 runs
