Tri-Nation ODI Series 2025, Match 3 Review: Harshitha, Madara power Sri Lanka women to emphatic win over South Africa women

Sri Lanka Women (SL-W) outplayed South Africa Women (SA-W) in game three of the Tri-Nation Series. The Lankan Lionesses chased down the target and won the game by five wickets at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo to register their first win of the series.

It was the Sri Lanka Women's team who won the toss and chose to bowl first, taking full advantage of the conditions. While the SA-W batters did manage to get some starts in phases, the SL-W bowlers made sure they kept a lid on the scoring rate. The Laura Wolvaardt-led side could only manage to score 235 in the end, as the Lankan bowlers were in top form on the day.

Though the conditions were slightly tough to bat on, the Sri Lanka Women batters did not let the game get away at all. Apart from the early dismissal of skipper and star batting all-rounder Chamari Athapaththu, the other SL-W batters formed partnerships and ensured they remained in control of the game throughout the innings. In the end, they managed to chase down the total in 46.3 overs.

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Madara and Samarawickrama star for the hosts

Though it was a great performance from the hosts, the stars of the day in this match were right-arm pacer Malki Madara and upcoming middle-order batter Harshitha Samarawickrama. It was Madara who created havoc with the ball, finishing with figures of 4/50 in her full quota of 10 overs.

However, the contribution of Samarawickrama cannot be forgotten, as she scored crucial runs on a tough Colombo wicket. Harshitha scored 77 off 93 deliveries in the game and formed important partnerships with Hasini Perera and Kavisha Dilhari. She was also adjudged the Player of the Match for her beautifully paced and mature innings.