18th match of the Women’s World Cup 2025 between Sri Lanka Women and South Africa Women is underway at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Amid the high stakes of this Day/Night encounter, Sri Lanka’s players are seen wearing black armbands, a poignant symbol that has caught the attention of cricket fans worldwide.

Why Sri Lanka wore black armbands against South Africa?

Sri Lanka women’s cricket team is paying tribute to a cherished figure in their cricket history, the late Jayananda Warnaweera. Warnaweera, a former Sri Lankan Test cricketer and respected cricket administrator, passed away recently at the age of 64. Known for his reliable right-arm off-spin, Warnaweera represented Sri Lanka in 10 Test matches and six One Day Internationals between 1986 and 1994.

Post-retirement, he notably served as the curator of the Galle International Stadium, one of the island nation’s iconic cricket venues. His contributions to Sri Lankan cricket have been celebrated widely, and the national team dons black armbands as a mark of respect and remembrance during the World Cup match. The Sri Lanka Cricket official social media acknowledged his passing with heartfelt condolences, honoring his lasting legacy in Sri Lankan cricket.​

Sri Lanka’s wobbly start against tough and disciplined bowling line-up

Sri Lanka’s innings against South Africa has been a testing one.

Opting to bat first, the hosts have struggled to build momentum, facing early setbacks amid challenging conditions. Vishmi Gunaratne had to retire hurt early while Chamari Athapatthuthe captain, was dismissed lbw by Tata Saasts Klaas. Sri Lanka’s score stands at 46 for 2 after 12 overs, at a run rate of 3.83. Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama continue to steady the ship with the bat, but the innings remains fragile. The South African bowling attack, led by Klaas and Marizanne Kapphas been disciplined and effective, maintaining pressure with tight lines and lengths.

Further complicating matters, the match has faced multiple interruptions due to persistent rain, a recurrent challenge in Colombo this World Cup season. Weather forecasts predicted scattered showers with a high probability of rain, delaying the start and impacting the pace of the game.

Earlier in the tournament, Colombo witnessed several washouts and rain delays, causing frustration for players and fans alike. The pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium has shown some assistance for bowlers, with some turn for the spinners as the innings progresses, demanding careful shot selection from Sri Lanka’s batters.​

South Africa enter this match in relatively strong form, rebounding well after an initial loss. Having won their last three games, they seek continued dominance against the hosts who are desperate for their first win of the tournament. With the weather causing interruptions and Sri Lanka struggling for stability, this encounter promises tension and tactical battles as the hosts strive to honour their past cricketing heroes and put up a competitive fight against the powerful South African lineup.

This article was first published at WomenCricket.coma Tezzbuzz company.