Wolvaardt scored her second consecutive century, but unfortunately it was not enough to secure a win

Earlier, South Africa would have been confident of claiming victory after Wolvaardt scored her second successive hundred in the series against Sri Lanka, this time off just 100 balls. In the absence of Tazmin Brits, who underwent surgery on a meniscus tear in her left knee today, Wolvaardt has taken on the responsibility of both anchoring and accelerating the innings. In the opening partnership of 116 with Lara Goodall, she was the dominant partner and scored 83 off 74 balls. Goodall, playing in her 50th ODI, contributed 31 off 55.

With the Sri Lankan spinners putting the squeeze on them, South Africa's innings stuttered in the middle overs. Goodall, Tucker, and Luus were dismissed for eight runs in the space of 18 balls. Nonetheless, they recovered thanks to their most reliable allrounder, Marizanne Kapp. She shared a run-a-ball partnership of 63 with Wolvaardt, who was at the other end when she reached her hundred before being run out at the end of the 35th over. South Africa were 187 for 4 at the time. The arrival of de Klerk brought increased intensity.

De Klerk and Wolvaardt put on 92 in 80 balls for the sixth wicket. Wolvaardt was aggressive in the stand, while de Klerk established herself as a finisher. She scored her next 84 runs off just 47 balls. South Africa scored 114 runs in the last 15 overs, at an average of 7.6 runs an over. But Athapaththu had the last word.