Shashikala helps Sri Lanka to 5th place in Women’s WC

CUTTACK: Sri Lanka captain Shashikala Sriwardene, with an all-round display, helped her team to the fifth position in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2013 defeating South Africa by 88 runs here at the Barabati Stadium on Friday.

Batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka made a disastrous start losing two early wickets for 14 but Chamari Atapattu and Deepika Rasangika steadied the innings thereafter to put on 68 runs for the third wicket.

Rasangika was dismissed in the 22nd over, and the new batsman, Siriwardene continued to build on the previous partnership with an 82-run stand with Atapattu, who top-scored with 52.

Siriwardene was stumped on 44, sending in bowler Eshani Kaushalya to add impetus to the score as she scored a quick 43 off 31 balls. Sri Lanka finished with a competitive 244 for 7.

South Africa were unable to put on substantial partnerships in their chase, as they lost wickets at crucial intervals through their innings. Chamani Seneviratna and Sripali Weerakkody helped dismiss the top order, and they were reduced to 49 for 4 in 17 overs. From there on, Siriwardene took over as she picked up 4 for 32 to help finish off the tail. Shandre Fritz was the only batsman to offer any resistance; she scored 54 before being run out by Kaushalya.(Cricinfo)