Rain arrives to dampen South Africa’s mood in Sri Lanka

South Africa and Sri Lanka were made to wait it out as rain arrived to dampen the mood in their Women’s World Cup match in Colombo on Friday. Having won the toss and elected to bat first, the hosts were 46-2 after 12 overs when the Monsoon deluge arrived to curb their enthusiasm.

The Proteas made three changes to the side that beat Bangladesh, with a fresh from injury Sune Luus replacing Anneke Bosch and providing a much needed middle-order batting boost. The other changes saw 18-year-old wicketkeeper Karabo Meso given her debut in place of Sinalo Jafta and Nondumiso Shangase and replacing Tumi Sekhukhune.

Two wickets for Masabata Klaas and just 12 overs in, the rain came out to play and had persisted for long enough to result in a reduction of overs, should play resume.

It’s a crucial fixture for Sri Lanka, who are yet to win a match at the tournament, having two of their matches abandoned due to rain already and abandonment or defeat is something Sri Lanka can ill afford.

For South Africa, their ten-wicket loss to England in their opener is now a distant memory. Three wins on the bounce have put them in a strong position, with matches against bottom-placed Pakistan and already-qualified Australia still to come

Sri Lanka are yet to win a match at the tournament, while South Africa have bounced back from a horror start in their opening game against England.

SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase. Reserves: Miane Smit

SRI LANKA: Chamari Athapaththu, Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya. Reserve: Inoshi Fernando