South Africa Women bowed out of Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022 in style with a record win against Sri Lanka. The Asian team was bundled out for a paltry 46 after they were put to bat first.
Only one of the Sri Lankan batters managed to score in double digits. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu top-scored with 15 runs from 29 deliveries. Three batters bagged ducks and only four boundaries were scored in the innings. This is Sri Lanka’s lowest total in the format. The 10th wicket fell with 17 balls remaining in the innings.
Sri Lanka’s previous lowest total came against Bangladesh in 2012 when they managed just 57 runs in 19.4 overs.
Nadine de Klerk turned out to be the pick of the bowlers with three wickets from four overs including one maiden. Nadine conceded just seven runs in her quota of overs. Masabata Klaas complimented her well by taking two wickets from three overs.
Chasing a target of 47, South African openers faced no problems. Anneke Bosch (20) and Tazimn Brits (21) shared an unbeaten 49-run partnership and won the match in the seventh over with83 balls remaining in the match.
This is South Africa’s biggest win in T20Is (in terms of balls remaining. Their previous biggest win came against Bangladesh when they chased down the total in 2013 with 51 balls remaining the innings.
The 46-run total is the lowest in the ongoing tournament. Sri Lanka did not win a single match and ended up at the bottom of Group B. On the other hand, South Africa lost their first two group matches to England and New Zealand.
The last Group B game between England and New Zealand on August 4 will decide who will take on Harmanpreet Kaur-led India in the semi-final of CWG 2022. Australia finished at the top of Group A as they have been unbeaten in the tournament so far. India will take on the loser of Group B's last clash.
