Lauren Bell took four wickets as England fought back on day two of their one-off Test match against South Africa and extended their lead to 145 runs. Despite their solid start, a batting collapse in the evening session saw the Proteas dismissed for 281 in response to the visitors’ opening-day 395 for nine declared.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt put on a 92-run partnership with Annerie Dercksen, making 65 before being dismissed by Sophie Ecclestone. Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp proved to a difficult duo to break as a dominant afternoon session saw the pair add 99, but debutant Ryana MacDonald-Gay found the breakthrough to take her first Test scalp by bowling Kapp.
The seamer soon struck again after a lightning delay to dismiss Nadine de Klerk and Bell orchestrated South Africa’s demise with three quick wickets, including two in two balls. The hosts claimed a valuable wicket by dismissing Sunday’s centurion Maia Bouchier for a duck, but Tammy Beaumont and skipper Heather Knight steered England to 31 for one at the close of play.
Bell found the perfect start for England in the second over of the day when Anneke Bosch feathered the ball behind to Amy Jones. Wolvaardt spearheaded South Africa’s response with a patient batting performance to bring up her half-century in 99 balls and her partnership with Dercksen was bearing fruit until England struck again on the stroke of lunch.
