England wins first women’s Test in 10 years with mammoth victory over South Africa

December 17, 2024 journo

England has registered its first women’s Test win in a decade after defeating South Africa by 286 runs in Bloemfontein.

The tourists, who won its last Test against Australia in 2014, bundled out South Africa for a mere 64 in the second innings after setting up a victory target of 351.

Pace bowler Lauren Bell claimed a career-best 4-49 in the first innings for England and returned 4-27 in South Africa’s second knock.

Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Filer also joined Bell to help England bowl out South Africa in only 19.4 overs and seal victory within three days.

“It’s amazing, my first Test win, and we’ve worked really hard as a team over the last three days,” said Bell, who was named player of the match.

“It’s a work in progress but performances like that give me a lot of confidence that I’m moving in the right direction.

“The other seamers and the spinners did a great job. It was a team effort.”

England had opted to bat first and declared its first innings on 9-395 on day one as debutant Maia Bouchier (126) and veteran Nat Sciver-Brunt (128) stitched together a superb 174-run partnership.

In the second innings, England started with a 114-run lead and ended up with 236 all out, thanks to captain Heather Knight, who played a spirited knock of 90.

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“Nice to get some time in the middle,” Knight said.

“Not my most fluent (innings). Obviously to put the game out of reach for the South African bowlers and put some time in their legs was important.”

Nonkululeko Mlaba was the pick of South Africa’s bowlers with 10 for 157 in the match, including a six-wicket haul in England’s second innings.

Australia will host England in next month’s Ashes series.

The two teams will play a Test at the MCG, beginning on January 30, following three ODIs and as many T20Is.

Reuters