ENG-W vs SA-W | Day 2 | Natalie Sciver’s 119* puts England in the driver’s seat

England Women have claimed the ascendency in the one-off Test against South Africa. The hosts piled on 328 runs for the loss of six wickets, as close to 100 overs were bowled on the second day. Without the slightest doubt, Natalie Sciver stole the show with her swashbuckling knock of 119 runs off 207 runs. The English all-rounder still remains unbeaten and will look to pile on the misery on the penultimate day.

After restricting South Africa to a score of 284 runs in the first innings, the hosts have already earned themselves a 44-run lead. There is still plenty of cricket left to be played; however, England have the opposition on the ropes going into the final two days. Tammy Beaumont and Emma Lamb gave the hosts an ideal start, putting together a 65-run stand for the first wicket.

Tammy Beaumont was dismissed by Anne Bosch, which did bring about a brief procession of wickets. English skipper Heather Knight looked quite uncomfortable out in the middle, and it was not long until she had to walk back to the pavilion due to a mixup with Natalie Sciver. Sciver and Sophia Dunkley steadied the ship in the second session, but the visitors fought back again with two quick wickets.

England were reeling for a score of 121 runs for the loss of five wickets and were in desperate need of a fruitful partnership. Natalie Sciver and Alice Richards answered their team’s call and batted right until the end of the day. The duo put on a 207-run stand for the sixth wicket, with Alice Davidson Richards contributing 107 runs to the hosts’ tally.

Both players collected their maiden Test tons, and made batting look easy out in the middle. Protea skipper Sune Luus changed around her bowlers, but to no avail as England kept drifting away. Finally, Tumi Sekhukune struck in the final over of the day’s play, finding the back of Alice Richards.

Anne Bosch was the pick of the bowlers, picking three wickets to save the day for the visitors. Marizanne Kapp, who starred with a brilliant 150 on Day 1, also failed to make any inroads into the English batting order.

Natalie Sciver and England will look to play with attacking intent in the first session of Day 3. The hosts will be eyeing a first innings total of 400-450 runs, and will want to have a go at the South African batters in the latter stages of the day. 

Despite a long day on the field, South Africa will feel much more relieved going back to the pavilion. Breaking a 207-run stand has exposed the tail to the swinging conditions in the early part of the third day. Moreover, the new ball is just about 20 overs old, which could guarantee some swing in the early overs. 

Brief Scores After Day 2:

South Africa: 284/10 (91.4 overs)

Marizanne Kapp: 150 (213)

Kate Cross: 4-63, 17.4 overs

England: 328-6 (99.5 overs)

Natalie Sciver: 119* (207), Alice Richards: 107 (194)

Anne Bosch: 3-59, 15 overs