Brave Brits Century Not Enough as India Edge SA in ODI Thriller

(The Post News)– Tazmin Brits delivered a gutsy century in Colombo on Tuesday, but it wasn’t enough to carry South Africa to victory as India clinched a tense 15-run win in the second match of the Women’s ODI Tri-Series.

Batting first at the R. Premadasa Stadium, India posted 276/6, with opener Pratika Rawal’s 78 anchoring the innings. Despite some success from Nonkululeko Mlaba (2/55), South Africa struggled to contain the Indian middle and lower order, conceding 82 runs in the final 10 overs.

In reply, South Africa were cruising after Brits and captain Laura Wolvaardt stitched together a 140-run opening stand. Brits took the lead role with a blistering 108 off 105 balls, her third ODI tonne, including 13 fours and three sixes. But the game shifted after Wolvaardt was dismissed for 43 and Brits was forced to retire hurt with cramp in the 33rd over.

India’s spinners capitalised, with Sneh Rana turning the tide. Her devastating spell of 5/43 – including three wickets in a single over, one of them a returning Brit – sealed the game for India and earned her Player of the Match honours.

South Africa’s middle order tried to rally, with handy knocks from Sune Luus (28), Chloe Tryon (18), and Annerie Dercksen (30 off 20), but fell short in the closing overs.

Wolvaardt acknowledged the collapse, noting the extreme heat and Brits’ heroic effort, while India’s skipper Harmanpreet Kaur credited her side’s sharp fielding and crucial breakthroughs. South Africa next faces host Sri Lanka on Thursday.