ENG-W vs SA-W: Debuts galore as 13 players earn their Test cap in the one-off fixture

England Women and South Africa Women are set to battle it out in the one-off Test match in Taunton. As many as 13 players from both camps combined have been handed their Test debuts. This should not be a surprise, considering the rarity of red-ball cricket in the women's game.

South Africa Women will mark their return to Test cricket after a lengthy period of nine years. Hence, nine debuts were from the visitors' camp alone. Only Lizelle Lee and Marizanne Kapp were among the players to have featured in Test cricket for South Africa before this fixture. 

On the other hand, England recently featured in an Ashes Test against arch-rivals Australia. The hosts have also handed out four debut caps. Emma Lamb, Alice Davidson Richards, Isabelle Wong and Lauren Bell have earned their Test debuts. The hosts won the toss and put the opposition into bat. The likes of Kate Cross and Isabelle Wong made the most out of the opening hour, picking up a wicket each.

England have gone with four specialist bowlers, including a sole spinner in the form of Sophie Ecclestone. Meanwhile, South Africa have made a bold decision, naming just two specialist bowlers. However, the visitors do have several all-rounders in their ranks. A surprising omission in the Proteas line-up was experienced pacer Shabnim Ismail who was expected to make the cut in the playing 11.

England have named a predictable side, with Charlotte Dean, Freya Davies and Emily Arlott making up the bench. The Three Lions are the favourites to emerge victorious in this one-off Test, given that most of the visitors' camp are inexperienced in the same format.