South Africa moved up to second in the Women’s World Cup table with a comprehensive 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a rain-shortened game in Colombo.
Set a Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) adjusted target of 121 to win in 20 overs, the Proteas cruised to victory inside 15 overs with captain Laura Wolvaardt hitting a superb 60 not out from 47 balls.
The classy right-hander shared an unbroken opening stand of 125 with Tazmin Brits, who hit the winning runs with a six to finish unbeaten on 55 from 42.
South Africa’s fourth straight win moves them above of England and just one point behind leaders Australia.
A lengthy downpour 12 overs into the match had looked set to result in a fourth washout at R Premadasa Stadium but the rain stopped just in time for a 20-over contest to take place.
Sri Lanka, who were 46-2 when the players were forced off, battled up to 105-7 but even after the DLS boost, it never threatened to really challenge South Africa.
Opener Vishmi Gunaratne was stretched off before the rain after a shy at the stumps struck her on the inside of the knee as she sprinted through for a quick single and forced her to retire hurt.
But no serious damage was done and she came in after the rain break to top-score for the tournament co-hosts with 34 from 33 balls.
Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba took 3-30 for South Africa, with seamer Masabata Klaas claiming 2-18 before the rain.
Defeat leaves Sri Lanka winless and, with just two games left to play, their hopes of reaching the semi-finals are increasingly slim.
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