The humid Colombo air hangs heavy with urgency. Two wounded giants, Sri Lanka and South Africa, step onto the R Premadasa Stadium with points to prove and pride to salvage.
After India’s clinical wins left both sides reeling, this clash isn’t just about survival, it’s about identity. Will Chamari Athapaththu’s home-turf grit outshine Laura Wolvaardt’s quest for Proteas redemption? Our Fantasy XI weaves aggression with ice-cool composure, designed to thrive under the weight of this high-stakes duel.
Fantasy 11 Picks for Sri Lanka Women Vs South Africa Women
Wicketkeeper:
Anushka Sanjeewani (Sri Lanka):
Sanjeewani is the silent guardian behind the stumps and her batting a study in controlled chaos. On a pitch where middle-order anchors are gold, her ability to stitch partnerships under collapsing skies makes her indispensable. Expect her to marshal Sri Lanka’s nerves during those make-or-break moments.
She has scored 22 (39 balls) in the game against India, and she has an overall tally of 463 runs at a strike rate of 55.78 and an average of 13.61 in 36 innings with the bat for her side, including one half-century to her name in the format for Sri Lanka.
Batters:
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa):
The Proteas skipper isn’t just a batter, she’s a rhythmician. Her cover drives carve through gaps like whispered promises, while her leadership radiates calm in storms. She’s South Africa’s blueprint for stability. The South African skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, 43 (75 balls), with the bat for her side in the game against India.
Her overall tally of runs includes 4,346 runs at a strike rate of 71.72 and an outstanding average of 49.95 in 101 innings, with 34 half-centuries and 8 centuries to her name, and a high score of 184* (147 balls) against Sri Lanka. However, it unfortunately went in vain.
Sune Luus (South Africa):
A dual-edged sword. With her wristy flicks and deceptive leg-spin, Luus lurks as the perfect disruptor, ready to dismantle Sri Lanka’s rhythm. She has scored 28 (34 balls) with the bat in their opening game against India. She has scored 2,304 runs at a strike rate of 64.93 and a decent average of 24.77 in 108 innings with the bat for her side in the format.
She has also been a crucial contributor with the ball, 115 wickets at an impressive average of 21.93 and an economy of 4.50 in 91 innings with the ball, which included three four-wicket hauls and 5 five-wicket hauls to her name in the format. She has resumed her duties with the ball, chipping in with a few overs as and when needed. She could be a crucial pick on your side.
Harshitha Samarawickrama (Sri Lanka):
When the crowd’s roar becomes deafening, Harshitha’s serene blade transforms pressure into poetry. She’s the anchor Chamari’s fireworks need. She scored 14 (24 balls) with the bat in the game against India in the first game of the Tri-Nation series. She has an overall tally of 886 runs at a strike rate of 67.37 and an impressive average of 28.58 in 36 innings with the bat for her side, which includes three half-centuries and a century to her name in the format so far.
Tazmin Brits (South Africa):
Aggression personified. Tazmin Brits doesn’t just attack, she hunts. Her fearless sweeps and lofted drives could bulldoze Sri Lanka’s early bowling momentum. She scored a brilliant century (109 off 107 balls) against India, her 3rd ton in the ODI format for South Africa. However, it went in vain as India sealed the game by 15 runs. She is yet again poised to play a crucial role at the top of the order for South Africa.
All-rounders:
Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka):
The lioness of Colombo. Chamari Athapaththu’s bat crackles with intent, every off-spin delivery a potential trapdoor for South Africa’s middle order. As captain, she doesn’t lead, she ignites. She doesn’t just play matches, she rewrites scripts. Colombo’s turning tracks amplify her off-spin, while her fearless batting can pivot a game in a matter of a few overs. When the stakes soar, Chamari soars higher. She has been the linchpin of the Sri Lankan batting line-up over the years. She had a rare off day 7 (18 balls) in the Tri-series opener. She has scored 3,745 runs at a strike rate of 75.18 and an impressive average of 35.33 in 111 innings, including 17 half-centuries and 9 centuries to her name in the format, with a high score of 195* (139 balls) on 17th April 2024, at Potchefstroom.
Besides her explosive display with the bat, she has also picked up 40 wickets at an average of 42.17 and an economy of 5.30 in 60 innings with the ball for her side in the format.
Kavisha Dilhari (Sri Lanka):
The silent enforcer. While Chamari storms headlines, Kavisha’s subtle off-breaks and nudged singles quietly strangle opposition hopes. She was confident, 25 (26 balls) with the bat against India in the Tri-Nation series opener. She has a tally of close to 600 runs at a strike rate of 76.60 and an impressive average of 26.50 in 27 innings with the bat for her side in the format so far. Apart from her impactful contributions with the bat, she has also picked up 29 wickets at an average of 31.31 and an impressive economy of 4.86 in 27 innings with the ball, including a couple of four-wicket hauls in the format for Sri Lanka. She is a must-have in your fantasy 11.
Nadine De Klerk (South Africa):
She is a death-over alchemist. Her medium-pace yorkers tail like vipers, and her lower-order hitting could be South Africa’s escape hatch in a tight chase. She was impressive in her spell (9-1-39-1) with the ball for her side in the game against India. She had a two-ball duck with the bat against India. She has scored 589 runs at a strike rate of 73.34 and an average of 21.03 in 35 innings with the bat, including a couple of half-centuries for her side in the ODI format. She has also picked up 50 wickets at an average of 27.24 and an impressive economy of 4.84 in 41 innings with the ball for her side, which includes one four-wicket haul in the format. She could be the potential game changer with the bat as well as with the ball for her side in the game against Sri Lanka.
Chloe Tryon (South Africa):
The power-hitting maverick. When Tryon swings, scoreboards malfunction. Her left-arm darts add a wildcard edge to South Africa’s attack. She was impressive, 18 (22 balls) with the bat for her side in the game against India. She also bowled economically (7-0-33-0) in her spell with the ball for her side in their previous game.
She has scored close to 1,889 runs at a strike rate of 99.31 and an impressive average of 25.52 in 87 innings with the bat for her side, including 11 half-centuries for her side in the format so far. She has also picked up 47 wickets at an average of 42.12 and an impressive economy of 4.31 in 77 innings with the ball for her side in the ODI format. She could be a handy pick on your side.
Annerie Dercksen (South Africa):
Meet the dark horse. At 24, Dercksen bowls with the wisdom of a veteran-seam-up deliveries that nag like monsoonal drizzles-and bats like she’s got a point to prove (because she does). A gamble? Perhaps. But Dercksen’s medium-pace thrives under pressure, and her middle-order grit offers floor-to-ceiling Fantasy returns. In a battle of nerves, she’s the stealthy ace up the sleeve.
She has been one of the most promising all-rounders coming up the ranks for South Africa. She fought as the lone warrior with a brisk 30 (20 balls) with the bat to keep the Proteas in the hunt in the run chase in their first game against India. However, unfortunately, she wasn’t able to guide her side over the line in that particular contest.
She has scored 100 runs at a strike rate of 78.74 and an average of 20 in five innings with the bat, and she has also picked up seven wickets at an average of 21.28 and an economy of 6.47 in five innings with the ball for her side in the format so far.
Bowlers:
Nonkululeko Mlaba (South Africa):
Her left-arm orthodox spins webs in broad daylight. On a track where grip tempts turn, Nonkululeko Mlaba’s accuracy could expose Sri Lanka’s historical struggles against quality spin. She scored 8 (7 balls) with the bat and was one of the stand-out performers with the ball (9-1-43-1) for her side in the previous game.
She has picked up 25 wickets at an average of 44.88 and an impressive economy of 4.83 in 29 innings with the ball for her side in the ODI format so far. She has also scored 48 runs at a strike rate of 64.86 in 15 innings with the bat for South Africa. She is a potential game-changer with the ball for your side.
Sri Lanka leans on home advantage, Chamari Athapaththu and her side’s intimate knowledge of R Premadasa’s afternoon breezes, Harshitha’s mastery of rotating strike under duress. South Africa counters with raw hunger; Wolvaardt’s side knows that a loss here could bury their Tri-Series hopes. Our Fantasy XI mirrors this duality, Chloe Tryon and Tazmin Brits’s fire balanced by Anushka Sanjeewani and Sune Luus’s ice.
As the sun sets over Colombo, the battle between Sri Lanka and South Africa promises to be a thrilling contest of skill, strategy, and sheer willpower. This Fantasy 11 is not just a collection of players but a reflection of resilience, championing Chamari Athapaththu’s commanding presence, Annerie Dercksen’s rising star, and a balanced lineup poised to adapt to whatever the match throws their way.
