Chloe Tryon delivered a match-winning all-round performance as South Africa clinched a dominant 76-run victory over Sri Lanka in their final match of the women’s ODI tri-series. Though the win came as a consolation with the Proteas already out of contention for the final, it served as a powerful reminder of the team’s depth and fighting spirit. The match, played in Colombo, showcased a well-rounded effort from the South African side, headlined by Tryon’s five-wicket haul and a memorable century from Annerie Dercksen.
After being asked to bat first, the South African top order struggled early on, losing wickets at regular intervals. At 85 for five, the innings was in danger of falling apart. But that’s when Annerie Dercksen stepped up, anchoring the innings with a confident and aggressive knock. Her 104 off just 84 balls was a blend of composure and calculated risk-taking. Dercksen’s innings was her maiden ODI century, and it came at a time when the team needed stability and momentum.
Dercksen found an able partner in Chloe Tryon, who joined her at the crease with South Africa in a precarious position. Tryon played a counterattacking innings, scoring 74 off 51 balls. The duo added 112 runs for the seventh wicket, a record for South Africa in women’s ODIs. Their partnership helped the Proteas reach a formidable total of 315 for nine by the end of their 50 overs. Contributions also came from Nadine de Klerk, who chipped in with an unbeaten 32 to boost the total.
Sri Lanka began the chase with intent, and their openers managed a steady partnership. Hasini Perera and Vishmi Gunaratne laid the foundation with a 52-run stand before captain Chamari Athapaththu entered and steadied the innings with a composed 52. Anushka Sanjeewani also contributed 43 runs, and for a while, Sri Lanka looked capable of mounting a challenge. However, it was Tryon once again who turned the game firmly in South Africa’s favor.
Introduced into the attack at a critical juncture, Tryon produced a dream spell of bowling. She not only broke crucial partnerships but also recorded a hat-trick during her spell—an incredibly rare feat in women’s ODIs. Her final figures read five wickets for just 34 runs, sealing the game and the match award for herself. Her heroics with both bat and ball were the standout features of a match that South Africa dominated in all departments.
Tryon, reflecting on the performance, admitted that she wasn’t feeling her best physically earlier in the day, which made her performance even more special. Her leadership on the field, combined with her ability to perform under pressure, proved vital in ensuring a strong finish to the series for the Proteas.
While South Africa did not qualify for the final, the emphatic win was an important step forward. It showed that the team has the ability to bounce back strongly and that emerging players like Dercksen are ready to shoulder key responsibilities. Chloe Tryon’s commanding all-round display was the perfect ending to the campaign, offering hope and optimism for the challenges ahead.