England’s bowling dominates as Wolvaardt and Co collapse

First Test, Day 2, Stumps

England Women: 395/9d & 31/1

SA Women: 281 all out

Wolvaardt 65, Kapp 57, Luus 56; Bell 4/49

The Proteas trial England by 145 runs

The Proteas Women’s team wasted a gilt-edged opportunity on the second day of the one-off Test against England in Bloemfontein.

Laura Wolvaardt’s team, who resumed on 17/0 overnight, were in solid positions in reply to England’s 359/9 declared only to plunge to 281 all out – a deficit of 114 runs. Wolvaardt, Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp all contributed with half-centuries, but neither of the trio were able to match England’s day one centurions Maia Bouchier and Nat Sciver-Brunt.

Wolvaardt (65) and Annerie Dercksen (41) put on 92 for the second wicket and Kapp (57) and Luus (56) added South African record 99-run stand for the fourth to place the Proteas at 113/1 and 237/3 at various stages, but all their hard work was undone as the lower-order collapsed with the home team losing 7/44 in 14.4 overs.

The destroyer-in-chief was England’s new-ball bowler Lauren Bell, who claimed a career-best 4/49. The lack of DRS for the once-off Test has, however, significantly hampered the Proteas.

Enoch Nkwe, South Africa’s director of national teams, explained that “the white-ball formats were prioritised with regards to DRS for this tour as it directly impacted the Proteas Women's rankings in T20I cricket and the Women's Championship”.

Due to the limited amount of Test match opportunities available to the Proteas Women’s team, captain Wolvaardt may strongly disagree with this notion after she was wrongfully adjudged LBW.

The skipper vehemently protested that she had hit the ball before it thumped into her pad, but without any DRS on offer was forced to accept the on-field umpire’s decision. The lack of technology possibly caused Wolvaardt to miss out on a second consecutive Test century. But while Wolvaardt may feel hard done by, the rest of the Proteas’ batting unit only let themselves down.

The only respite for the Proteas was Ayanda Hlubi’s dismissal of Bouchier for a second innings duck. After her magnificent first innings century, Bouchier struggled for 19 balls before eventually edging behind to Jafta behind the stumps.

Tammy Beaumont and England captain Heather Knight ensured there were no further alarms for the tourists on an elongated second day.