Two Wins For Sri Lanka As T20 Competition Gets Going

Two Wins For Sri Lanka As T20 Competition Gets Going

Shandre Fritz hammered an unbeaten century against the Netherlands

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Sri Lanka won both of their games in the ICC Women's Cricket Challenge Twenty20 tournament in Potchefstroom while there were also wins for the West Indies and South Africa.

In Group A, the West Indies proved too strong for the hosts South Africa, winning by six wickets. Trisha Chetty hit 43 but was one of only three players who reached double figures as South Africa were dismissed for 98 as Stacy-Ann King returned figures of three for 19. Juliana Nero then hit 39 and Deandra Dottin an unbeaten 28 in 17 balls to steer the West Indies to victory with three overs and one ball to spare.

South Africa hit back when they thrashed the Netherlands by 115 runs. Shandre Fritz became the second woman to hit a Twenty20 International century as her unbeaten 116 in 71 balls (a new world record score) guided her side to a score of 205 for one. Chetty was on form again as she hit 55. The Netherlands then closed on 90 for seven.

In Group B, Sri Lanka opened their day with an eight-wicket victory over Pakistan. After Pakistan were dismissed for 80 in 19.3 overs, Sri Lanka eased to 84 for two in 15 overs with Inoka Galagedara scoring an unbeaten 42 in as many balls.

They followed it up by beating Ireland by 11 runs. They did so by defending 127 for six, in which Galagedara top scored with 28. Ireland then fell short when they reached 116 for seven. Isobel Joyce top scored with 37 as Suwini de Alwis returned two for 21.

The final group games see the West Indies play the Netherlands and Pakistan play Ireland ahead of the positional play-offs.

© Cricket World 2010