Annerie Dercksen’s maiden 50 takes Proteas Women past 200-run mark against Sri Lanka

South Africa: 235/9 (Annerie Dercksen 61*; Malki Madara 4/50)

Sri Lanka need 236 runs to win

Annerie Dercksen continued to impress on the international stage as she showed determination, rescuing South Africa from a spot of bother and guiding the side to a decent total against Sri Lanka in their Tri-Series clash at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday.

Having walked in to bat with the score on 120/5 in the 29th over, Dercksen did a commendable job with the bat, taking her time to see off the Sri Lanka spinners early on in her innings.

When the 24-year-old felt comfortable at the crease, she took the attack to the home team's spinners. With sheer power, the right-handed batter hit three fours and the only six in the South African innings.

Dercksen reached her maiden half-century mark in international cricket as she continued to prove her ability as a genuine all-rounder in the side.

The experienced Chloe Tryon (35) provided good support to Dercksen as they combined for 62 runs for the sixth wicket.

Nadine de Klerk (17) also provided a decent 32-run stand alongside the in-form Dercksen as South Africa posted 235/9.

The Sri Lanka women's spinners Dewmi Vihanga (3/41), Inoka Ranaweera (1/31), and Sugandika Kumari (1/49) were exceptional with the ball on a spin-friendly wicket.

Seamer Malki Madara (4/50) mixed things up and helped the hosts restrict South Africa to a chaseable total.

Proteas Women's batters Lara Goodall (46) and Sune Luus (31) also made valuable contributions to help the visiting side reach a decent total.

The visiting new-ball bowlers, Ayabonga Khaka and Masabata Klaas, will have their work cut out and will look to get the Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu out early.