England on the brink of Test match victory

England have a fantastic opportunity to secure victory in the one-off Test match against South Africa at Somerset Cricket Club, and it is largely down to two players at opposite ends of the experience spectrum. 

On a rain-impacted day in Taunton, England resumed their first innings on 328/6, a lead of 44, and battled through to a score of 417/8 declared, with captain Heather Knight keen to have a bowl at a fragile Proteas’ top order before the close. 

It proved an inspired decision, as South Africa lost three early wickets to finish on 55/3 and still trailing by 78 runs. 

Nat Sciver sets the standard for England 

On day two, a brilliant partnership between Nat Sciver and Alice Davidson-Richards took England beyond South Africa’s first innings total.  

Sciver resumed on 119 on day three and, alongside Sophie Ecclestone, demonstrated her vast array of experience with a patient and stoic knock that finished on 169 not out.  

Issy Wong enjoys the dream debut 

The platform had been laid by the brilliance of Sciver and Kate Cross made a swift breakthrough before Lara Goodall and Laura Wolvaardt looked to settle South Africa nerves with a composed partnership in awkward overcast conditions. 

Knight turned to the raw pace of Issy Wong and she delivered for her captain, as the debutant removed Goodall with a glance down the leg side caught by Amy Jones. In her next over, Wong bustled Wolvaardt into a loose shot caught in the gulley. 

Wong spoke to Sky Sports after the game: "We've had a frustrating day, the weather hasn't got the memo, but we were really keen to use those overs to make an impact on the game and push it forward to hopefully get a result.”