Recently, Sri Lanka set a new benchmark by becoming the first team in women’s ODI cricket to chase down a target exceeding 300 runs. This achievement not only highlights the evolving competitive landscape of women’s cricket but also underscores the tremendous growth and increasing excitement around the sport.

Historic Chase against South Africa

On a vibrant day at the cricket ground, Sri Lanka faced a formidable total set by their opponents. Previously, the highest successful chase in women’s ODIs was 289 by Australia against New Zealand in 2012. Sri Lanka’s remarkable chase of 305 runs has rewritten the record books, showcasing the team’s resilience and strategic prowess.

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Key Performances

Central to this historic win were the performances of Chamari Athapaththu and Laura Wolvaardt. Chamari, the Sri Lankan captain, and Laura, the South African powerhouse, were pivotal with their batting masterclass, each scoring well over 175 runs.

Chamari Athapaththu’s Performance

Chamari Athapaththu’s unbeaten 195 runs is now the highest score while chasing in a women’s ODI, surpassing the previous record held by Meg Lanning. Her innings is a testament to her leadership and skill, marking her as one of the most formidable batters in women’s cricket today.

Partnership Highlights

Significant to the chase was the 179-run partnership between Chamari and Nilakshika Silva, which is the second-highest stand for the fifth or a lower wicket in women’s ODIs. Their partnership not only stabilized the innings but also propelled the team towards the monumental target.

Laura Wolvaardt’s Innings

On the opposing side, Laura Wolvaardt’s 184* runs set a national record for South Africa and is now the highest individual score to end up on the losing side in women’s ODIs. Her elegant and powerful batting displayed why she is considered one of the best in women’s cricket.

Records and Achievements

This match was rich with record-setting performances, including the highest aggregate of runs scored by captains in an ODI. Both captains surpassed the previous record held by Virat Kohli and Angelo Mathews, highlighting the increasing competitiveness in women’s cricket.

Sri Lanka’s strategic approach to the chase was methodical and aggressive. The decision to accelerate the innings post the 30-over mark was a game-changer, allowing them to keep up with the rising required run rate.

Impact on Women’s Cricket

This historic chase is likely to have a profound impact on women’s cricket, encouraging greater investments in the sport and inspiring a new generation of female cricketers. It emphasizes the growing parity and competitiveness among international women’s teams.

SA-W vs SL-W, 1st Match Preview

The 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup begins with hosts South Africa Women taking on Sri Lanka Women in Match 1 on Friday evening in Cape Town. South Africa Women beat India Women in the final of the Tri-Nation Series earlier this month. Sri Lanka Women’s last fixture was in the Women’s Asia Cup Final in October. After winning the Tri-Nation Series and as hosts of the competition, there is real belief in the South Africa Women’s squad. We expect them to get off to a winning start in this match. Sri Lanka Women exceeded expectations by reaching the Women’s Asia Cup Final last year but getting off to a winning start in this tournament would be an even bigger achievement.

SA-W vs SL-W, 1st Match Details

South Africa-W vs Sri Lanka-W – 1st Match

Venue: Newlands – Cape town

Date & Time: 10th February 2023 at 10:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Star Sports Network

SA-W vs SL-W, 1st Match Pitch Report

Although there is good pace in this pitch, there is also some assistance for the quick and spin bowlers. A par score will be no higher than 155. The forecast is for clear skies throughout Friday evening in Cape Town. Expect the temperature to drop from 22 degrees to 19 degrees across the match.

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update

Also Read: IND Test players have started preparing ahead of the match!

SA-W vs SL-W, 1st Match Probable Playing XIs:

South Africa-W Probable Playing XIs

Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Lara Goodall, Sune Luus (c), Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jaffa (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

Sri Lanka-W Probable Playing XIs

Chamari Athapaththu (c), Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Malsha Shehani, Sugandika Kumari, Inoka Ranaweera, Achini Kulasuriya

Topmost Picks for SA-W vs SL-W Dream11 Prediction, 1st Match:

Top Picks – South Africa-W

• Laura Wolvaardt – The right-handed opener has scored three international hundreds and 33 half-centuries over her career. She has been South Africa’s most consistent batter over the last 12 months.

• Nonkululeko Mlaba – The 22-year-old left-arm spinner has taken wickets from 13 of her last 16 appearances in this format. Her best figures are 3-22 in WT20Is.

Top Picks – Sri Lanka-W

• Chamari Athapaththu – The skipper appeared for Melbourne Renegades Women in the 2022 Women’s Big Bash League and hit 75 not out in one match.

• Inoka Ranaweera – The 36 year old slow left-arm spinner has taken wickets in each of her last nine international appearances and will enjoy bowling on this surface.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for SA-W vs SL-W Dream11 Team:

Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus, Chamari Athapaththu(VC), Oshadi Ranasinghe, Marizanne Kapp(C), Nadine de Klerk, Inoka Ranaweera, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for SA-W vs SL-W Dream11 Team:

Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Laura Wolvaardt(C), Sune Luus, Nilakshi de Silva, Chamari Athapaththu, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Marizanne Kapp, Inoka Ranaweera(VC), Shabnim Ismail, Nonkululeko Mlaba

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Marizanne Kapp, Laura Wolvaardt

Vice-captain – Chamari Athapaththu, Inoka Ranaweera

Wicketkeeper – Anushka Sanjeewani

SA-W vs SL-W 1st Match Probable Winners:

Particularly in South African conditions, the South Africa Women line-up looks a lot stronger. Sri Lanka Women have good options in the spin department but South Africa Women’s batting line-up is much better. There is plenty of excitement across the cricketing world for the start of this tournament and we expect Sri Lanka Women to cause South Africa Women some problems with the ball in this game. However, there is far more depth and top level experience with both bat and ball in this South Africa Women’s side. Our prediction is for a victory for South Africa Women. Considering the team combination, South Africa-W is expected to win this match.

A Under-19 World Cup last month, the announcement of the Women’s IPL and now the T20 World Cup. The Cricketing World has been a busy place and with a World Cup about to start the players are set to get all the more busy. South Africa, the hosts come in with controversy surrounding them. With their fitness parameters, they have decided to not spare anyone who misses the fitness criteria and will be coming in without some of their most experienced players.

Sri Lanka, a team that still has not captured international cricket after success in their earlier years will know that T20 Cricket will give them their best chance of making strides in the cricketing World. With a chance a top-flight Cricket in the coming weeks, they will not want to miss out on the upcoming opportunity.

SA-W vs SL-W Match Details

Date: February 10th 2023

Time:  10:30 PM IST

Venue: Cape Town

SA-W vs SL-W Weather Report

The Weather at Cape Town is pretty good for the upcoming game.

SA-W vs SL-W Pitch Report

A flat track with some dryness is expected at Cape town. Batting first will be a better option.

SA-W vs SL-W head-to-Head

Played- 13 | South Africa Women -10 | Sri Lanka Women- 3 | No Result- 0 | Tie- 0

SA-W vs SL-W Predicted Playing XI

South Africa Women Playing XI

Tazmin Brits, Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Anneke Bosch, Sinola Jafta, Masabata Klaas, Delmi Tucker, Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka

Sri Lanka Women Playing XI

Chamari Athapaththu, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Anushka Sanjeewani, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Nilaksha De Silva, Inoka Ranaweera, Kavisha Dilhari, Malsha Shehani, Tharika Sewwandi, Ama Kanchana

SA-W vs SL-W Key Players

Inoka Ranaweera

Sri Lanka’s best chance of winning is through spin. They know how to use the old ball well and can find turn with ease. Ranaweeera in particular is amazing when it comes to bowling spin, and a strong spell from her can ease things out for Sri Lanka.

Laura Wolvaardt

With South Africa losing some experienced players they too will need someone to step up. Wolvaardt is one of the best openers going around in Womens Cricket and a strong start will help South Africa get going in this tournament.

See Also: Virat Kohli Re-Announces Himself as the Chase Master – Cricket Winner

SA-W vs SL-W Match Tips

Hosts South Africa come into the upcoming game as clear favorites with the difference in skill evident.

Match Prediction: South Africa Will Win the Match

Preview

SA-W vs SL-W: SA-W and SL-W are both out of the competition. A win for either side takes them to two points, which is not enough given the other two teams have four points. They only have their pride to play for on this global stage and will hope to make it a memorable match.

SA-W vs SL-W Head to Head

Played-12 | South Africa- 9 | Sri Lanka- 3

Match Details

Match: SA-W vs SL-W

Date: 4th August 2022

Time: 3:30 PM IST

Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham

Weather Report

The weather at Birmingham is clear with a few clouds during the Bar-W vs Ind-W game.

Pitch Report

The track is flat and expected to be full of runs. Batting second is a better option.

Bar-W vs Ind-W Predicted Playing XI

SA-W Playing XI

Mignon Du Preez, Tazmin Brits, Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus(c), Sinalo Jaffa, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Masabata Klaas, Chloe Tryon, Delmi Tucker, Ayabonga Khaka

SL-W Playing XI

Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Ama Kanchana, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk),  Oshadi Ranasinghe, Sugandika Kumari, Inoka Ranaweera, Udeshika Prabodhani

Key Players

Chamari Athapaththu

Playing in the big stage is rare for Sri Lanka, given their lack of quality. Few players though have the quality but are failing to live up to the expectations needed. Athapaththu is one of them. She is a player capable of steering her side alone and will have to do so if she is to make a name for herself on the global stage

Mignon Du Preez

Mignon Du Preez is a pretty effective batter at the top. With South Africa out of the tournament, she will be looking to spend some time as South Africa go for some tough assignments after this tour. They will be upset at not qualifying and will look to fight hard in this last game.

SA-W vs SL-W Match Tips

SA-W are likely to breeze through this game. SL are still not competitive in this stage and will do well to compete, but are far from winning the upcoming contest.

Match Prediction: SA-W Will Win