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South Africa Women level series 1-1:
Niekerk (4-17) helps SA Women to beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets
by Sajeewa Jayakody
Sri Lanka Women cricketers were pathetically bowled out for 76 runs
as the South African counterparts inflicted a seven-wicket defeat with
15 balls to spare in the second Twenty20 match of the three-match
series, which was leveled 1-1 at the Colts Cricket Club grounds, Colombo
today.
 Dane van Niekerk, the leg spinner bowled her best Twenty20 figures
terrorizing the Lankan women taking 4-17 in her alloted four over-spell.
The 21-year-old right armer removed dangerous Chamari Atapattu and
promising Lankan middle order batter Hasini Perera in successive overs
putting the Lankans in trouble in the middle of the innings. The both
batswomen were brilliantly caught by Marizanne Kapp.
Then she polished off the tail to return her best Twenty20 figures as
the hosts suffered three runouts to be bowled out for 76 runs in 14
overs.
After electing to bat first, the left hand Lankan Women openers got
off to a flying start scoring 24 runs in 16 balls before Yasodha Mendis
was caught behind off left arm medium fast Chloe Tryon.
Mendis struck 21 runs in 13 balls hitting cracking five fours giving
exciting start. Atapattu made 16 off 14 with a lone boundary.
Chasing a 77-run target in 120 balls, opener Dane van Niekerk played
a key anchore role after fellow opener Trisha chetty was run out for 6
off Inoka Ranaweera's brilliant field in the ring.
Since then, right handed Niekerk and Lizelle Lee associated in 38-run
partnership for the second wicket with a superb resistance-packed
knocks.
Right handed Lee struck 18 off 24 before being caught by Eshani
Lokusuriya off Maduri Samuddika giving the off spinner her second wicket
after top scorer Niekerk was smartly stumped by Prasadani Weerakkody.
The third and final Twenty20 match will be played at the Mercantile
Cricket Association grounds on October 26 starting at 2pm.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka Women: 76 all out in 14 overs (Yasodha Mendis 21, Chamari
Atapattu 16, Eshani Lokusuriya 10, Dane van Niekerk 4-17, Chloe Tryon
2-15, Shabnim 1-15)
South Africa Women: 77-3 in 17.3 overs (Dane van Niekerk 22, Lizelle
Lee 18, Maduri Samuddika 2-18).
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