Dane helps South Africa Women level series

An allround performance by Dane van Niekerk helped the visiting South Africa Women’s cricket team to level the three match T20 series against Sri Lanka Women with a comfortable seven wicket win in the second T20 encounter played at the Colts ground yesterday.

Dane ended with impressive figures of 4 for 17 in her four overs to restrict the host side for a score of 76 and then hit a 22 which paved the way for her side to reach the required target in the 18th over.

Sri Lanka Women side skipper Chamari Atapattu winning the toss and electing to take first lease of the wicket began the inning on a sedate start with openers Atapattu and Yasoda Mendis putting on 24 runs.

The duo’s separation saw Sri Lanka losing three quick wick- ets for the addition of only 20 runs as they slid to 44 for 4 in the eighth over. At the halfway stage of the innings they were struggling on 57 for 5.

The late order batting failed to make any impression with only Eshan Kaushalya being able to reach the double figure mark and they lost the remaining five wickets for only 21 runs that lasted just under four overs being bowled out for 76.

SRI LANKA ‘A’ – WEST INDIES ‘A’ 3RD UNOFFICIAL TEST

South Africa’s run chase was propelled by a valuable 38 runs for the second between van Niekerk and Lizelle Lee and another unbroken 23 runs stand for the fourth wicket between skipper Mignon du Preez Marizanne Kapp.

South Africa Women who won the four match ODI series will no doubt go for the double and will be looking forward to make a repeat performance when they meet host Sri Lan- ka in the deciding T20 scheduled to be played today at the MCA ground.