Women's World T20: South Africa thrash Sri Lanka in opener

Galle - South Africa hardly broke sweat as they cruised past Sri Lanka in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 opener here Wednesday.

Set a target of 80 runs, South Africa achieved victory in 17.2 overs with six wickets to spare.

Wicketkeeper-batter Trisha Chetty (33) and Shandre Fritz (14) blazed away at the top, taking full advantage of the powerplay overs, even as Sri Lanka introduced spin as early as the third over to halt the South Africa side.

Sri Lanka used as many as five bowlers in the first six overs, and Inoka Ranaweera picked up two wickets, while leg-spinner Deepika Rasangika took one.

Earlier, South Africa captain Mignon du Preez’s decision to bowl came as no real surprise, given that there was a hint of early morning drizzle. The South Africa bowlers vindicated that decision almost immediately as Sri Lanka slipped to 17 for four by the eighth over. Hopes were pinned on Sri Lanka’s captain Shashikala Siriwardena, easily the side’s best bat. Once she was dismissed for seven, it was always going to be a tough task for the home team.

Dilani Manodara, who came in at No.6, top-scored with 24. Along with Chamani Seneviratna, she added 31 runs in 29 balls for the seventh wicket, the highest partnership of the innings. But the partnership was broken courtesy of a run-out, one of five run outs in the innings.

Benade and van Niekerk were the most successful bowlers for South Africa, picking up two wickets apiece, and Trisha Chetty was awarded Player of the Match after her fine performance behind the stumps, assisting in four run outs and effecting one catch and one stumping.

Scores in brief: Sri Lanka 79 all out, 20 overs (Dilani Manodara 24; Dane van Niekerk 2-9, Susan Benade 2-7), South Africa 80-4, 17.2 overs (Trisha Chetty 33 not out; Inoka Ranaweera 2-15).