Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025: South Africa thump Sri Lanka in rain-shortened match

South Africa rose to second place in the Women’s World Cup table with a comprehensive 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a rain-shortened match in Colombo.

Setting a revised Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) target of 121 to win in 20 overs, the Proteas cruised to victory inside 15 overs with captain Laura Wolvaardt scoring a brilliant 60 off 47 balls.

The stylish right-hander shared an unbroken opening 125-run stand with Tazmin Brits, who claimed the win by six to finish unbeaten with 55 off 42.

South Africa’s fourth successive win puts them above England and just one point behind leaders Australia.

A 12-over torrential downpour in the match looked like it would spell a fourth loss at the R Premadasa Stadium but the rain stopped just in time for a 20-over contest.

Sri Lanka, who were 46-2 when the bowlers were forced off, fought back to 105-7 but even after the Super League boost, they never threatened to really challenge South Africa.

Opener Vishmi Gunaratne was extended before the rain came after she was hit just shy of the stumps on the inside of the knee as she paced for a quick single and was forced to retire hurt.

But no serious damage was done and she came on after the rain stopped to score the highest score for the co-hosts with 34 off 33 balls.

Left-arm pacer Nonkululeko Mlaba took 3-30 for South Africa, while seamer Masabata Klaas took 2-18 before the rain came.

The defeat left Sri Lanka winless, and with only two matches remaining, their hopes of reaching the semi-finals are increasingly dwindling.