Chole tryon

Premadasa International Cricket Stadium: Seamer Malki Madara picked a superb 4-50 in just her second 50-over game, before Harshitha Samarawickrama top-scored with 77 to help Sri Lanka register a five-wicket win over South Africa to grab their first win of the women’s ODI tri-series at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium here on Friday.

Electing to bowl first on a dry pitch, Sri Lanka managed to reduce South Africa to 120/5 in the 29th over, before fast-bowling all-rounder Annerie Dercksen continued to impress in international cricket by hitting an unbeaten 61, her first ODI half-century. She also shared a partnership of 62 for the sixth wicket with Chole Tryon, who made 33.

In Annerie’s knock, her handling of the spinners was a standout factor in taking South Africa to a competitive total. For Sri Lanka, apart from Malki, debutant offspinner Dewmi Vihanga took 3-41 on debut in her ten overs, while Inoka Ranaweera and Sugandika Kumari took a wicket each, as South Africa finished at 235/9 in their 50 overs.