On December 15, 2024, the England Women's cricket team showcased their batting prowess against South Africa during the first day of the one-off Test match at the Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein. England declared their innings at 395 for 9, spearheaded by stunning centuries from debutant Maia Bouchier and vice-captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Bouchier, stepping onto the Test arena for the first time, struck 126 runs off just 154 balls, including 22 fours and 2 sixes. Her impressive performance did not go unnoticed as she took control of the game alongside Sciver-Brunt, who hit her second Test ton with 128 runs from 110 balls, smashing 16 fours. The pair formed a formidable partnership, putting together 174 runs for the third wicket, demonstrating England's aggressive batting style.
Despite starting the Test with high hopes, South Africa's bowlers struggled to contain the English batswomen. England's innings began on shaky ground, losing Tammy Beaumont for just four runs and captain Heather Knight for 20. Lunch saw England at 103 for 1, but the real dominance unfolded after the break.
Sciver-Brunt made history by scoring the fastest century in women’s Test cricket off 96 balls, breaking Bouchier's earlier record for the fastest maiden century by an English woman set just hours before. Her innings not only showcased exemplary skill but also solidified her reputation as one of the top players to watch. For England, this match marks their ninth-highest Test score—further emphasizing their dominance on the pitch.
The South African bowlers, particularly left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba, managed to regain some footing later on, achieving 4 wickets for 90 runs. Mlaba's efforts were aided by constraints placed on the run rate by her teammates after tea, when England's batters started to fall away abruptly.
The South African batting line-up faced tough conditions as they took to the pitch, ending the day at 17 for no loss, still trailing by 378 runs. With the forecast predicting clearer skies for the second day, they’ll need to bring their A-game to chase down the massive total set by the English side.
This Test is particularly significant, being South Africa’s first home Test since 2002—an occasion met with excitement and anticipation. The absence of the Decision Review System (DRS) created challenges for the home side, especially evident when Kapp’s lbw appeal against Beaumont was not upheld. The lack of technology drew attention to past frustrations teammates have faced, which could have impacted the match's momentum early on.
Looking forward to Day Two, England's captain Heather Knight has expressed confidence, knowing they built up substantial runs. The Proteas, meanwhile, are determined to regroup and leverage any conditions changes to their advantage. The stage is set for compelling cricket as the series progresses, building on England's current form after previously dominating T20I and ODI formats against South Africa.
