Sublime centuries from Maia Bouchier and Nat Sciver-Brunt led England to a strong position on the opening day of the one-off Test against South Africa.
Opener Bouchier made 126 on her Test debut, while all-rounder Sciver-Brunt’s 96-ball ton is the fastest ever in women’s Tests as England posted 395-9 declared in 92 overs.
Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch calmly negotiated a tricky six overs at the close as South Africa reached 17-0, and will resume 378 runs behind.
The hosts’ bowlers had struggled for consistency on a slow pitch with short boundaries, as Bouchier and Sciver-Brunt added 174 for the third wicket in a ruthless display before the former was caught at slip shortly before tea.
Sciver-Brunt was unluckily run out while backing up for 128, and South Africa capitalised on the opportunity to expose England’s lower order as five wickets fell for 38 runs in the evening session.
England were given a reprieve in the opening over when Tammy Beaumont was given not out for an lbw call which looked plumb in front off Marizanne Kapp, instantly drawing attention to Cricket South Africa’s decision not to use the decision review system (DRS) for this four-day Test.
It did not cost too much in the currency of Beaumont’s runs, as she was first to fall for 21, but 53 runs were subsequently added for the first wicket which took the sting out of the dangerous Kapp and the new ball which allowed England to score freely at around five an over for the first two sessions.
Nonkululeko Mlaba was the standout performer for South Africa with 4-90, extracting turn and bounce from the surface late in the day which will undoubtedly be brought into play by Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean on day two.
