Mlaba: Colombo experience key as Proteas Women face Sri Lanka

Nonkululeko Mlaba has highlighted the importance of the Proteas Women’s recent experience of playing in Colombo ahead of their fifth league-phase match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 against Sri Lanka in the capital city on Friday.

South Africa’s clash with the home side will get under way at 3pm local time (11:30am SAST) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport Grandstand (Channel 201).

The Proteas have enjoyed a thrilling run in the tournament so far. After suffering a defeat to England in their opening match, they bounced back with impressive victories over New Zealand, hosts India and Bangladesh.

These results have lifted them to third place on the log standings, with three matches remaining before the knockout stages.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Mlaba emphasized the value of the Proteas Women’s one-day international (ODI) Tri-Series, featuring Sri Lanka and India, which took place in May this year at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

“As a team, we kind of know the players, especially for me as a bowler, I know for certain players where to bowl and where’s their strengths and weaknesses, so it was very important for me to know their players.

“It’s my second time playing here because we had the Tri-Series against Sri Lanka and India. It’s always good to come back. Hopefully this time around, I will do well for the team,” the left-arm spinner noted.

'SIMPLE STRATEGY'

When it comes to the head-to-head record between the two sides, South Africa hold a strong advantage over Sri Lanka in ODI cricket, having won 16 of their 25 previous encounters.

However, the Sri Lankans have found success in recent meetings, winning two of the last three matches.

This includes a memorable record chase in the final ODI during their tour of South Africa in 2024, as well as a five-wicket victory in their first match of aforementioned Tri-Series before the Proteas responded strongly in the second fixture in Colombo, winning by 76 runs.

Discussing her approach to the spin-friendly conditions at the R. Premadasa Stadium and the team’s focus ahead of this crucial contest, Mlaba said she aims to keep her strategy simple, a mindset that has already helped her claim eight wickets in the tournament so far, while ensuring the team doesn’t underestimate their opponents.

“It’s just (about) doing the one thing that I do best; sticking to my good lines and length, and the rest will take care of itself.

"Every team is very hard to play against. We have played against Sri Lanka in the Tri-Series and also played against them at home, and they beat us in the few games. They definitely have a good team; their spinners are very good and (Chamari) Athapaththu, herself, is gun for the team.

“So we don’t undermine any team, and we just play our own game and try our best to win,” she added.

Proteas Women Squad - ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)

Travelling Reserve

Miané Smit (Fidelity Titans)

Fixtures - ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Friday, 17 October at 11h30 - South Africa v Sri Lanka (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Tuesday, 21 October at 11h30 - South Africa v Pakistan (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Saturday, 25 October at 11h30 - South Africa v Australia (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore)

Wednesday, 29 October at 11h30 - Semifinal 1 (TBC)

Thursday, 30 October at 11h30 - Semifinal 2 (Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai)

Sunday, 02 November at 11h30 - Final (TBC)

**All times are SAST