That, then is us. Please do check back for our report of today’s play, which’ll be in here and on the site shortly; otherwise, join us again for what promises to be, weather permitting, a compelling final day. Peace out.
That was a tremendous little session, England, and Issy Wong in particular, bowling really well. I’m not sure we’ll get enough play tomorrow to get a result, but she’s given her team a chance.
England lead South Africa by 82 runs; South Africa have seven second-innings wickets intact
24th over: South Africa 55-3 (Luus 4, Sekhukhune 1) Sekhukhune nudges off her pads for one, giving Luus five balls to see away; I’m not sure that’s quite what a nightwatcher is meant to do, but her captain sees away Wong comfortably enough= ... until the last delivery, a full, swinging, fast brute that beats the hanged bat, just, rushing away for fur byes! That is stumps!
23rd over: South Africa 50-3 (Luus 4, Sekhukhune 0) Luus plays Sciver’s first three deliveries well enough, defending two and leaving one, but then when one shapes away, she can’t help but dangle the bat, and does very well to see her edge drop shy of slip. There are now three slips and two gullies, Beaumont the second of them and leaping to her right when Luus edges again, but she can’t quite introduce fingers to ball and the batters run two. One over to go.
22nd over: South Africa 48-3 (Luus 2, Sekhukhune 0) Wong begins with a bouncer, but it’s too high and called wide. Her third delivery, though, is right where it needs to be, Sekhukhune leaving on length a ball that’s a blue Rizla away from trimming her off-bail. Two overs to go.
21st over: South Africa 47-3 (Luus 2, Sekhukhune 0) Now South Africa send in a nightwatcher, but is Luus on strike as Sciver barrels in, and her third delivery is a very fine one indeed, full of length and in the corridor. Forced to play, Luus wafts but can’t impart edge never mind bat, is beaten again when one bounces and jags off the seam, then drives through extra for two. Sekhukhune will now face an over of Wong – good luck with that, old mate.
WICKET! Wolvaardt c Sciver b Wong 16 (South Africa 45-3)
Issy Wong has arrived! This has been a spiteful spell and the pressure she’s exerted entices Wolvaardt to fish outside off; she edges, and Sciver takes a fine diving catch in the gully, just off the ground! Wht a match she’s having, and South Africa are in all sorts!
Updated
21st over: South Africa 45-2 (Wolvaardt 16, Luus 0) This spell from Wong is exceptionally serious, her first ball of this third over lifting from a length and defeating Wolvaardt’s fend; a top-edge falls into the turf. Same again second up too, another climbing more than you’d expect and this time Wolvaardt plays and misses. After five dots, she’s warned about running onto the wicket, and...
20th over: South Africa 45-2 (Wolvaardt 16, Luus 0) Watson is trying everything in search of a wicket, replacing Cross, who was a threat, with Sciver. She’s on the money right away, but Wolvaardt edges a nip-backer to backward square for one. Five overs to go, and England lead by 88.
19th over: South Africa 44-2 (Wolvaardt 15, Luus 0) Luus opts not to send out a nightwatcher – I’d not be shocked if she ended up regretting that.
WICKET! Goodall c Jones b Wong 26 (South Africa 44-2)
Were digging in well! Wong has looked sharp as you like this evening, and when Goodall tries to glance what she thought would be a second straight short ball, she ended up pinned on the crease, bat above tootsies. As such she can only impart a slight touch on the ball, and Jones takes a nice diving catch.
19th over: South Africa 44-1 (Wolvaardt 15, Goodall 26) England are running out of overs here – there are seven left including this one. They’re bowling nicely, but South Africa are digging in well...
18th over: South Africa 44-1 (Wolvaardt 15, Goodall 26) It’s gone quiet on the weather front, which is good news, and Kate Cross is running in hard, bowling full to try and find some swing while making the batter play. Goodall edges the fourth one, but Sciver makes an excellent one-handed diving stop in the gully before a turn to fine leg earns her a single.
17th over: South Africa 43-1 (Wolvaardt 15, Goodall 25) It’s time for Issy Wizzy to get busy, and her second delivery is a goodun, nipping in off the seam; Goodall does well to get bat on it, racing down the non-striker’s to earn a single. It’s the only run from a decent over, Wong forcing the batters to play five of six balls.
16th over: South Africa 42-1 (Wolvaardt 15, Goodall 24) Hello! Cross dips into her toolbox and picks out a jaffa! The ball is skidding on in the rain and this one bounces, nips across Goodall and beats her all ends up! The next one is decent too, a little fuller to incite the drive, but missing the edge when it’s proffered. But Goodall is game, driving four through mid off before taking three down the ground – the surface water saved the boundary – and this is intense!
15th over: South Africa 35-1 (Wolvaardt 15, Goodall 17) The rain is, we’re told, still falling, and it’s grey up above. I fear we may be nearing the end – the rain is coming down harder now – but in the meantime, Goodall knocks off her hip for one, the only scoring shot in the over.
14th over: South Africa 34-1 (Wolvaardt 15, Goodall 16) Cross bowled well well earlier and she’s right back it here. First, Goodall misses an attempted leg-glance and takes ball on pad, then she half-bats to short leg before taking a Red Bull single to point. A further single to Wolvaardt, squirted away to midwicket, means both batters are away in the session, and rain drops are falling again; absolute sake. But we’re still out there for now, and Goodall drives pleasantly down to long on for three; South Africa now trail by 99.
13th over: South Africa 29-1 (Wolvaardt 14, Goodall 12) Bell resumes her over and finds some decent late swing as Wolvaardt defends into the off side; around the bat, there’s plenty of chatter and whooping. It’s a really good over is this, forcing a shot to every ball, and she won’t mind at all the the final one is edged wide of gully for two.
Here come the batters...
South Africa will fancy that if they can avoid losing any more wickets this evening, they’ll have a decent chance of securing a draw, given tomorrow’s forecast. But if one goes down quickly, they could be right up against it by stumps...
I didn’t expect more play, I must say, but I’m delighted to be proved wrong, and the England players are warming up!
We're going to restart at 6.30pm!
For 13 overs, including the one that started before the players went off.
Ah, here are the umpires. They praise the groundstaff, say that player safety is paramount, and that everyone’s doing as much as they can to get us back on the park – not just today but tomorrow (weather notwithstanding). The problem is the wicket-ends, we’re told, and we can play until 7pm plus some extra.
That puddle I mentioned earlier is problematic, and there’ll be another pitch inspection at 6.15pm.
Am I really OBOing the Super Sopper, yes I am. It’s shoving water off covers and onto outfield, then the covers are removed. The various authorities are inspecting the run-ups; if those are OK, we might just get a ball-game.
We’re not expecting any more rain today and it looks like the covers might be coming off, so I guess we’ll see the damage underneath, then a call’ll be made.
The Super Sopper is back out, but we don’t know if that’s to make things better for today or tomorrow.
Allow me to correct myself: I forgot what Lake Superior taught me yesterday.
Water is wet and abortion kills a human being. https://t.co/DSASKRtxWj
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) June 26, 2022
Thomas, not even your first talking point is correct. Water is not wet, what water touches is wet.
— Lake Superior (@LakeSuperior) June 27, 2022
I'm confident I have a lot more experience in making things wet than you do.
Oh dear. There’s a wet patch and puddle on the pitch next to the square, the covers still on are loaded with the wet stuff, and the forecast for tomorrow isn’t great. I’m sorry, I’m a real hoot.
Updated
Elsewhere, Daniel Bell-Drummond has been talked about as a Test batter for quite some time now. I doubt Crawley misses out against India, but another poor match may force a decision to be taken, especially if he bats as skittishly as in the second innings at Headingley.
Four centuries now for Daniel Bell-Drummond this Championship season, averaging over 60: great to see him excelling after some tricky first-class seasons.
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) June 29, 2022
All the talk about Zak Crawley and Ben Compton, but another member of the Kent top 3 could be a great fit for England
I just cannot watch Jonny Bairstow smash it about enough times. He’s just got out at Trent Bridge, but I won’t hold it against him given he’s such an obviously top bloke, and I’m so glad he’s finally found his Test-match groove.
I mentioned this yesterday, but it bears repeating today: yesterday, Eton played Harrow at Lord’s, and north London has been dry all day save for some rain around 10am. This match is at Taunton.
I cannot get enough of these.
Had the lads running through brick walls since 2015 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/RwFuOiJity
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) June 29, 2022
Oh just look at this!
Daniel returns: “It’s pretty bright now. We can see the hills again.”
Sessions tomorrow: 11-1:30; 14:10 - 16:10; 16:30 until a minimum of 92 overs have been completed
“Still not looking good,” laments our Daniel Gallan, who’s at the ground. “7pm is the scheduled close. If possible we’ll take the extra 30 minutes.” There’ll be a pitch inspection at 5.50pm.
Updated
It’s brightened up in the last few minutes, report Cricinfo, but there’s still no word as to what’s going to happen next.
Those of us with Sky are watching England’s chase at Trent Bridge; there’s been no news about the 5.10pm inspection, which doesn’t fill me with hope. My guess is that any more rain closes play, but we might get back for a bit if there’s no more.
“Tell the ICC idiots that people support women’s tests and make them five-day pretty please!” asks David Keech, perhaps overestimating my imaginary rolodex. “Four-day format cannot survive a massive rain-restricted day like today. Also if this were five-day, Sciver gets the chance to reach 200 and England to bat SA out of the game. Four days forced the early declaration and spoilt the match. Now, after all this rain, SA only have to bat sensibly and the match will peter out to a bore draw.”
I can’t argue with most of this.
More reading for you...
Meanwhile...
RESULT | Tom Moores comes on for one over to officially make it 11 bowlers in the innings!
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) June 29, 2022
With that, Middlesex have concluded on 261/1 and hands are shook as the draw is agreed.
Relive the match with highlight clips on #TrentBridgeLive 👉 https://t.co/1iEGBx7fY1#NottsvMiddx pic.twitter.com/XmHlNQYiLF
Follow the county stuff here:
News! Sky report that there’ll be a pitch inspection at 5.10pm, so it mustn’t be raining. We might yet get an hour or two.
Updated
I can see an umbrella up, though if it’s raining, it’s not doing so heavily because I can’t see much water action on the covers.
“I’m content.” I’ll bet!
But now we look up, and the sky looks like it despises cricket.
Aha, the umpires are on their way out with brollies furled. Let’s hope they like what they see.
Ach, it’s not raining but no one is doing anything to get us back on the field because the clouds are, apparently, closing in.
Here’s a weather update from
Francis Wilson
our man at Taunton, Daniel Gallan.
We can see the Quantock Hills in the distance and that means things have cleared enough for a chance of play later. But we’re running out of time. It’s not raining now but the ground is very wet. Super Sopper doing its thing.”
I also loved this from Brendon McCullum, because he doesn’t start with the rhapsodising, he starts with the hard-nosed reality of elite sport and elite sportsfolk.
Time stands still for no man. The impact he has had on English cricket and world cricket has obviously been significant. The players he has brought through – some of the most exciting players, superstars of the modern game – they might have got there anyway, but I think he got them there quicker. He’s a tremendous leader, a fine human being, and I am looking forward to catching up with him, sharing a couple of reds and celebrating what’s been a remarkable career.”
Eoin Morgan, though. I love everything he’s done, and also how he’s gone out. What lines these are!
“I remember going to bed having written notes about various different things – team-oriented towards the World Cup, how to get there, what we’re doing, normal run-of-the-mill stuff that I do. And I slept well,” he said.
“I woke up the next morning with just a completely different feeling, one that I’ve never had before. And it’s hard to describe unless you go through it. I’ve done a lot of research over the last three years, talking to a lot of different players about it. The most common theme is: it’s a feeling. When you know, you know. And I always thought they were full of shit. But on the Monday, that’s how it felt.”
Tea is being taken
Cricinfo report that it’s no longer raining and is generally brighter, but more rain looks likely. The question, I guess, is whether we can get cleaned up and on again before it arrives.
Other news:
On Sky just a few minutes ago, Charlie Dagnall was gently criticising South Africa for playing too defensively this morning, allowing Sophie Ecclestone to settle at the crease. He’s right, and in similar vein, I felt like this match slipped away from the tourists last evening when, waiting to attack with the new ball, they allowed Sciver and ADR to settle against the old after tea. By the time their best bowlers were charging in, they were miles behind the game and were faced by two quality batters, set.
Aha! The rain is much lighter now, but there might be more behind it. There’s no movement from the groundstaff.
It’s properly hosing it down now. Godspeed, mates.
Grim news:
Oh dear: “It’s raining really heavily at the moment ... it’s looking ominous,” we learn from Sky, then hear the dreaded words “set in”. But given the need to clean up once the rain stops, I’d say play isn’t proximate at best, and at worst we’re done for the day. If you’re asking me to guess, I’m leaning towards the latter I’m afraid.
And here’s our report on a fascinating day in Galle.
Did you see this from earlier? If not, do.
Everyone went up for LBW.. David Warner kept his eye on the prize and took an absolute ripper! #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/f7cdguPs39
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) June 29, 2022
And tennis...
However, we do still have cricket lovely cricket for you...
Aaaargghhh, it’s raining pretty hard now, so they’re covering the outfield as well as the square. I’m concerned, I don’t mind telling youse.
Rain stopped play
But the umpires and some of the players stay out there.
Updated
13th over: South Africa 27-1 (Wolvaardt 12, Goodall 12) The umpires confer again, agree to stick with it again, and did I see a little bit of lighter sky? The Quantocks are shrouded in weather as Bell charges in again, inducing Wolvaardt to inside-edge low, and that I’m afraid, is all we’re getting for the next bit – it’s not raining heavily but it is raining properly, so off go the teams.
12th over: South Africa 27-1 (Wolvaardt 12, Goodall 12) Eeesh, it’s raining properly now – “Let’s get one before the rain,” offers the cordon – but instead it’s Wolvaardt who gets one, bunting to cover and racing through for a single. Cross is asking questions here, forcing Goodall to defend an inswinger, but then a full toss is steered to the fence at long on for four.
11th over: South Africa 22-1 (Wolvaardt 11, Goodall 8) Drops of rain violate the TV camera as Bell resumes; dearie me, the groundstaff are poised with the covers and that might be it ... the umpires confer, and decide to stay on, in so doing amping up the pressure on batters who know they’ll soon be in the safe and warm. So Bell slings down and excellent delivery that slants in a little, Goodall half-batting from in front of her pads, and she’s found a really probing line here, pitching on leg and slanting in towards middle-and-leg, where it’s not easy to get bat around pad. Maiden.
10th over: South Africa 22-1 (Wolvaardt 11, Goodall 8) Cross is really running in here, bowling to three slips and a gully; Wolvaardt edges her second delivery into her pads. Again, we’re shown menacing skies, then Wolvaardt chases a wide one as though trying to edge behind – she misses – before shoving two to extra.
9th over: South Africa 20-1 (Wolvaardt 9, Goodall 8) Bell drops a little short and straight, so Goodall glances her fine for four; Bell retaliates well, slanting her next delivery across the left-hander, who wafts outside off and misses. But hang on! Looking at ultraedge, it seems like there was a nick! There was no indication that happened, in terms of noise or deviation, so no England player appealed. But if they’d reviewed, Goodall was gone!
8th over: South Africa 16-1 (Wolvaardt 9, Goodall 4) Cross probes outside off as Wolvaardt defends then ignores; looking a bit more closely at her stance, I don’t think she has a trigger movement; rather she waits for the ball to come to her. Which is what she does when driving two through mid off ... but then cross finds a bit of away movement along with some extra bounce, gulling the batter into a play and miss outside off.
7th over: South Africa 14-1 (Wolvaardt 7, Goodall 4) Bell replaces Wong and finds a smidge of late swing, Goodall defending another maiden easily enough. But the clouds above the pitch look ominous, Accuweather and Met Office now agreed that we’re in for some rain in the next couple of hours.
6th over: South Africa 14-1 (Wolvaardt 7, Goodall 4) We’re told that tea will now be at 4.40pm, with the evening sesh scheduled for 5-7 but able to be extended to 7.30pm with fair weather. Anyhow, Cross resumes from the other end and finds her line immediately, forcing an edge from Wolvaardt that shoots way to cover in the process of sending down a maiden.
Updated
5th over: South Africa 14-1 (Wolvaardt 7, Goodall 4) Wong will finish off her first over and we seem to have sunshine! Wolvaardt flips her first delivery around the corner for one, then a fuller one is edged into the pad by Goodall. That’s a decent delivery, and Wong has that in her locker – she just needs to hit her mark more consistently, and as I type that an overpitched delivery receives the full face, rushing away for four.
We’ve got 64 more overs to bowl have lost just nine, and can go until 7.30 – a little later if England are in position to win the match.
The below was from earlier, but the last live shots we saw, it was like that over the middle too. So far, we’ve had no news on the resumption, but as I type that, we can see the teams gathered by the rope. We’re about to get some cricket!
So from the balcony… the clouds look okay… BUT go round the back andddd - pic.twitter.com/rP66Jz9hpg
— Melissa Story (@melissagstory) June 29, 2022
It is, though, still pretty grimy at Taunton, playable, but with more rain looking imminent. Let’s hope not/
I enjoyed this, and should add that not until late last evening did I know that Sciver and Davidson-Richards batted together for their school team. That is a beautiful thing.
BATTERS WITH A TEST CENTURY and a WICKET ON DEBUT for @englandcricket
— Richard V Isaacs (@RVICricketStats) June 28, 2022
W G Grace - 1880
Alice Davidson-Richards - 2022#EngWvSAW pic.twitter.com/ZCHvFd1j6H
I guess the main talking point this morning was England’s declaration. They might’ve batted on to make sure they’d more runs than they thought South Africa would make, but on the other hand, taking 10 wickets is likely to be the difficulty, and they’d be naused to add, say another 80, and the match finish with the tourists, say, 98-8.
In the meantime, this is lovely. I can’t think of many more influential figures in the history of English cricket.
A man I owe a huge amount to. Thank you for everything @eoinmorgan16. pic.twitter.com/elxIZOKuEi
— Jason Roy (@JasonRoy20) June 29, 2022
Afternoon Daniel, afternoon everyone. Hopefully we’re soon back under way, though I’m not sure how we’ll fare – Accuweather say we’re golden, but Met Office say thunder and rain for the remainder.
Progress: So the man on the tannoy has told us that there’ll be another inspection at 2:50 with a view to restart at 3:05. The weather apps say it’s raining but it isn’t. At least not at the ground. All the covers, bar the pyramid like hovercraft gizmo, have been removed. Holding fingers and toes for a bit of action later.
That’s me done for the day. Shame about the last few hours but a solid morning of power hitting from Sciver and Ecclestone. Cross’s wicket puts England in the pound seat.
I’ll say adieu and hand over to my fellow Daniel. See you all tomorrow.
Rain has stopped, but there are still wet patches. That’s the message from middle.
Sound the klaxon, ring the bells, tell your mates that we’re getting a game. The covers are coming off. What a joyous sentence for anyone who loves this silly game. Still clouds in the sky so you really wouldn’t want to be a batter but Wolvaardt and Goodall will be desperate to get back out there. They may not get another Test innings again and this is their chance to prove their worth in this format.
A reminder that South Africa are one down with nine on the board. They’re 124 behind after England’s 417-8, dominated by an unbeaten 169 from Nat Sciver.
If I had to guess I’d say 20-odd minutes. Could be more, could be less. More as I get it.
Ice bath buddies!
Good night everyone. Especially these two 🌟 @natsciver @alicedr24 pic.twitter.com/yLAU3L6ujE
— Georgie Heath (@GeorgieHeath27) June 28, 2022
Another inspection in 10 minutes. Ground staff need to take the covers off. Any club cricketer knows how challenging that is. I was once directly responsible for a two hour delay as I let go of my corner of the covers and spilled water all over the pitch on a good length. Let’s hope these folks know what they’re doing.
No change yet. 2pm has come and gone and still the covers remain. [Sad face]
It’s Kate Cross’s dad! AKA David Cross, a “West Ham legend” according to one of the G’s editors, Paul Bellsham. He also turned out for West Brom, Coventry, Norwich and the Vancouver Whitcaps, scoring 229 career goals. He also helped the Hammers lift the 1980 FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Arsenal.
Let’s play ‘Guess Who’. Know who this geezer is?
Rain. In England? Never!
Trying to work out when the last time was that we had 4 full days play in a women's Test in England? Australia 2013 @ Wormsley?
— CRICKETher 🏏 (@crickether) June 29, 2022
Hi folks. How was your lunch? The covers are still on but it seems as if the rain has stopped. The ground staff are doing things on the pitch and there’s a super sucker machine thing (I don’t know what it’s called) moving about.
There’ll be an inspection at 2pm. Fingers crossed we get some better news then.
Rain brings an early lunch. South Africa 9-1 (Wolvaardt 6, Goodall 0)
The heavens have opened. The sky is crying. The ground is wet. However you want to say it, it’s the age-old bane of cricket. Why haven’t we figured out a way to mitigate this most natural phenomena?
We can ponder that a little longer as lunch has been called. Looks like bangers and mash this side. Enjoy your grub. Speak on the other end. Hopefully it’s a little drier but I don’t have much hope unfortunately.
4th over: South Africa 9-1 (Wolvaardt 6, Goodall 0) That’s exactly what Kate Cross does. She bangs away on a challenging line and a probing length and puts doubt in the batted mind. Steyn’s brain was clearly muddled as she jabbed at one and offered Sciver the simplest of catches in the gully.
The new batter Goodall is made to sweat as she’s trapped on the pads and the English are convinced it’s out, even though umpire Anna Harris shook her head. It goes upstairs and an inside edge is Goodall’s reprieve, though it also might have pitched outside of leg.
Still, a productive over for England as they’re all over their guests here. Can they nab one more before lunch?
Wicket! Steyn c Sciver b Cross 3 (South Africa 9-1)
Bingo! That’s how it’s done. Cross has got Steyn for the second time in the match. Maybe that wicket in the first innings played a role in this one. On Monday, Steyn left one she shouldn’t have and was bowled. This time, she’s prodding at one she should have left and is caught by Sciver at gully. It’s a good length and it did move away a touch, but an opener really shouldn’t be playing away from their body like that. The perfect start for England with a lead of 124.
3rd over: South Africa 8-0 (Steyn 3, Wolvaardt 5) A single each for the batters. Their job is made slightly easier by Bell’s full length. If she could bring it back a touch she’d be in business but the swing is comfortably dealt with as it is.
Dark clouds are gathering. Those in the know reckon we’ll be getting showers soon.
2nd over: South Africa 6-0 (Steyn 2, Wolvaardt 4) Cross to Wolvaardt with a red ball. A match-up I’ve been wanting to see for some time now. A metronomic bowler who can move it both ways against a fluent stroke maker who loves to drive.
This first over is, as you’d expect, right where it needs to be as far as Cross is concerned. Except for the last ball, which is too full and Wolvaardt is too good to miss out. Chalk up the frist cover drive to the boundary please!
1st over: South Africa 2-0 (Steyn 2, Wolvaardt 0) Lauren Bell has the brand new Dukes and is running in from the Marcus Trescothick End. Long strides, a high action, slingy arms and that beautiful shape in from the hand towards the front pad of the right hander.
Andrie Steyn takes guard first up. Nice and compact. She’ll be conscious of her dismissal from the first innings where she shouldered arms to Kate Cross and was bowled. A neat clip off the pads for a couple to deep square gets her off the mark.
England declare on 417-7
That’s the end of the innings and it’s brought about with the run-out of Kate Cross at the non-striker’s end. A direct hit from de Klerk catches a casual Cross unawares. It’s tight but it is out.
Heather Knight reckons she’s got enough. Perhaps not to bat once, but certainly enough to skittle South Africa and chase down something gettable tomorrow morning.
Sciver ends with a magnificent 169 not-out. She hit 21 fours and finishes witha strike-rate of 64.25. Wonderful performance.
That Mlaba over - the 120th of the innings - began with an Eccesltone four down the ground that belied her batting position at No. 8. A skip down the track and a full flourish was quite the sight.
She fell the next ball and Cross was run-out to close both the over and the innings.
England’s bowlers are already out there doing their warm-ups. They’ll be itching to get going.
Updated
Wicket! Ecclestone lbw Mlaba 35 (England 414-7)
Right when they needed it, South Africa have nabbed a breakthrough. Ecclestone misjudges the length on this Mlaba full ball, going back to is as she looks to paddle it to the leg side for a single. But it skids on and hits her in front. They review but it’s plumb and a handy cameo comes to an end.
119th over: England 410-6 (Sciver 167, Ecclestone 31) This partnership has now grown to 82 in no time. Five off this Kapp over - four singles, two apiece, plus a wide. I’m pointing out the obvious here but South Africa desperately need a wicket!
Why isn’t there a scorecard? I’ve been getting a lot of emails from OBO readers about the lack of a scorecard for this match. It’s a fair point that one exists for the men’s coverage but there isn’t one here. I’ll get to the bottom of this.
118th over: England 405-6 (Sciver 165, Ecclestone 29) Sciver brings the 400 up with a belligerent thwack down the ground. She charges a full ball from Mlaba and throws the kicthen sink at it, sending the ball up and over mid-off and to the rope. Four more singles, plus a no-ball adds up to another expensive Mlaba over. Nine from it. The slow-left-armer isn’t doing a holding job. Always a worry for a captain looking to keep things tight. I fear this game may be running away from the South Africans.
117th over: England 396-6 (Sciver 159, Ecclestone 27) Kapp kicks things off straight after drinks and it’s apparent that she poses the greatest threat of all the South African bowlers. it’s that whip her action is able to generate as it gets the ball to lift a little off the surface. She concedes three from the over coutesy of a no-ball and two singles. But she hits good areas. If anyone’s going to get a breakthrough it’s South Africa’s talisman.
History makers
I believe that this is only the second time in history where two players have scored 150+ in a women’s Test.
— Raf Nicholson (@RafNicholson) June 29, 2022
Previous occasion was Barbara Daniels & Kirsty Flavell - England v NZ at Scarborough in 1996.#ENGvSA
Anyone but England?
“DG, enjoying the OBO very much, altho as an Aussie, this recent England dominance in mens against NZ and the women here against SA is a little unsettling!”
I’m with you John from Brisbane. As a Saffa, I understand you more than you know.
116th over: England 393-6 (Sciver 158, Ecclestone 26) They say that the first hour of the day’s play is crucial (aren’t all the hours crucial?) Either way, England have completely dominated this one. They’ve taken the lead to 109. Sciver has brought up her 150 and Ecclestone is proving a capable deputy.
Mlaba can’t stem to tide of runs as Sciver’s cute paddle skims across the surface for four. Four more singles means it’s another productive over for the hosts.
That’s drinks. Just in time from a South African point of view.
115th over: England 385-6 (Sciver 152, Ecclestone 24) Eccelstone takes the lead past 100 with a bludgeon from a full toss that’s carted over long-on for four. Bosch hasn’t found her range this morning. There’s another full-toss to Sciver which is milked for a single. The rest of the over is run-less, but also toothless. SA need a miracle here. One over to drinks. Maybe that break will do them good.
150 for Nat Sciver!
114th over: England 380-6 (Sciver 151, Ecclestone 20) That is a remarkable milestone for an England great. She starts by taking two off Mlaba through backward point and two balls later brings up the 150 with a gentle nudge to long-on. Muted celebrations. She’s not done. Is that the licence to open up?
113th over: England 375-6 (Sciver 147, Ecclestone 19) Now that is an eventful over! Bosch drops a sharp return catch off Ecclestone. She got two hands to it. It was hit hard but at this level you’ve got to take them.
She’ll lvie to regret that miss as it brings Sciver on strike who rubs salt in the wound with two clattering boundaries. One forceful pull through midwicket and another tonk over cow corner for a one-bounce four. She’s edgeing closer to that 150 and climbing through the gears. A single keeps her on strike for the next over.
112th over: England 365-6 (Sciver 138, Ecclestone 8) Spin now, as Mlaba joins the party. No problems for the batters who milk four singles. I’ve said it before, but it feels like a spring is coiling, like a couple of predators are prowling. Surely there’s an explosion to come.
Is Alice Davidson-Richards the new WG Grace?
Missed yesterday’s action? Catch up with Raf’s report on that game-changing 207 run stand between Sciver and Davidson-Richards here.
Updated
111th over: England 361-6 (Sciver 136, Ecclestone 16) Bosch is back. Long overdue if you ask me. She’s asking questions immediately and finds a leading edge from Ecclestone’s bat. It’s balloons towards cover and gets the South Africans excited but it falls safely to the floor. Two singles for Sciver and one for Ecclestone keeps things ticking along. Good start from Bosch, though.
110th over: England 358-6 (Sciver 134, Ecclestone 15) A statement of intent? Look, it’s a really wide and full hit-me ball from Sekhukhune and it’s spanked by Ecclestone, but she gave that an almighty wallop with a big swing of her blade. No half measures in that one. She also swings across the line at another full teaser. Perhaps she’s getting the message that it’s time to up the ante. Lead is 74. Target will be anything above 250. That may even be surplus to requirements.
109th over: England 351-6 (Sciver 131, Ecclestone 11) That’s the 350 up for England. Sciver is looking as assured as she did yesterday and ventures out her crease for one delivery, looking to put pressure on de Klerk. A single for each batter keeps the scoreboard ticking along. I get the sense though that something needs to give.
108th over: England 348-6 (Sciver 130, Ecclestone 10) England will be delighted with this. Kapp is out of the attack and Sekhukhune is back. It’s not that the new bowler isn’t handy. She was really good yesterday in keeping things tidy. But she’s not the wicket taker that Kapp is and Sciver and Ecclestone will be far more comfortable dealing with metronomic medium pacers than bouncy back of a lenght risers. Two taken off the first ball as Ecclestone works it off her pads and another quickly taken single to mid-ff means she keeps the strike.
107th over: England 346-6 (Sciver 130, Ecclestone 7) That’s a quality cricket shot. De Klerk isn’t too short but short enough for Sciver to get her weight back to cross-bunt it through midwicket for four. Balance. That’s the key word there. Balance, and Sciver had it in abundance. No runs from the rest of the over but it’s hard not to feel that Luus has handed the ball to the wrong bowler. Bosch was the pick of the bunch yesterday. What is she being saved for?
106th over: England 342-6 (Sciver 126, Ecclestone 7) Kappie is not happy. She’s got her hands on her hips and is scowling at Lee and de Klerk. The former, standing at a fly-slip - half saving one, half stationed there for an opportunistic catch - has to run round and collect the ball as England scamper a single following an Ecclestone edge. But she throws a wild return above the ‘keeper’s Jafta’s head. De Klerk then needs to mop up the mess but she’s sloppy and concedes two additional overthrows. No wonder Kapp is cross!
The rest of the over keeps Sciver honest and ends with a single tucked towards the on-side. Lead of 62 now.
105th over: England 338-6 (Sciver 125, Ecclestone 4) It’s a maiden from de Klerk. She’s very much found her range. Good lengths, that’s the trick. Fulle enough to bring the batter forward but not too full that it’s easy to drive. England watchful but might need to crack on at some point. It’s blue skies over the hills in front of me but rain is scheduled at some point.
South African men’s squad announced for England series. Speaking of South Africa, the men’s Test, ODI and T20 squads have been announced.
PROTEAS TOUR TO ENGLAND SQUADS ANNOUNCED 🚨
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) June 29, 2022
💔 Temba Bavuma ruled out
✅ Keshav Maharaj (ODI) and David Miller (T20I) stand-in captains
🔙 Rilee Rossouw returns to T20I fold
🧢 Gerald Coetzee receives maiden T20I call-up
🧘♂️ Kagiso Rabada rested for ODIs#ENGvSA #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/AfcQ2WIXVg
104th over: England 338 (Sciver 125, Ecclestone 4) Kapp is getting some lift off the deck. It’s her whiplash action from her strong shoulders that gets the ball biting into the surface. She finds Sciver’s edge but it doesn’t carry to the diving second slip and they scamper a single.
The Saffas can sense something brewing and Luus has stuck an extra slipper in - three plus the gully now.
Ecclestone pokes at another one and flashes at one more, but doesn’t connect. Hard to tell as I’m on the angle but it seems as if it’s moving away off the seam. Good lengths doing the business here for Kapp.
103rd over England 337-6 (Sciver 124, Ecclestone 4) Better from de Klerk. She brings her length back and that brings doubt in the batter’s mind. The one full floater is chased by Ecclestone and it flies away for four past slip. I reckon Sophie is going to have a go here. England will want a big enough lead to give them a shot at batting just once.
102nd over: England 333-6 (Sciver 124, Ecclestone 0) Kapp replaces Sekhukhune and she starts off with some pedestrian loosners outside the off stump. She looks a little stiff. She wasn’t very mobile towards the back end last night and she was doing a lot of stretching and grimacing this morning. My guess is she’s carrying a niggle (along her team’s batting on her back) but realises her importance to the cause here. Still, it’s a maiden to Sciver who is watchful but rock solid, meeting every block with the middle of her bat.
101st over: England 333-6 (Sciver 124, Ecclestone 0) Right where she left off. That is just pure class from Sciver. Her first ball of the morning, delivered by de Klerk, is driven back past the bowler for four. Just delicious batting.
She’s also clipping a neat glance to midwicekt for a single. De Klerk too full - as she often was yesterday - and it’s easy for the England batters to plant their front leg and hit through the line. Also, triple Nelson! Have you got your foot up?
100th over: England 384-6 (Sciver 119, Ecclestone 0) Because Alice Davidson-Richards fell on the fifth ball of Thume Sekhukhune’s over, we begin this morning with just one ball from the Marcus Trescothick End. It’s on a good length and is squirmed to gully by Sophie Ecclestone along the ground.
Updated
Preamble
Good morning everyone! Can’t wait for this. It’s the third day of a Test that has gone one way, then another, then taken a left turn followed by a short right.
England will be the happier of the two thanks to a 207 run partnership between Nat Scvier - unbeaten on 119 - and Alice Davidson-Richards - out on the final ball of the day for 107.
Anneke Bosch was the pick of the South African bowlers, picking up 3-59 as she nabbed a trio of quick-fire scalps to leave England teetering at 121-5.
It was a mighty collapse after Emma Lamb and Tammy Beaumont were untroubled in their opening stand of 65, but Bosch sent both packing before Heather Knight was inexplicably run-out on the first ball after lunch. Bosch then nicked off Sophia Dunkley and Nonkululeko Mlaba bowled Amy Jones for a duck.
Davidson-Richards joined her high school mate Sciver and they were just sublime, driving on the up, pulling with authority and crunching anything that had the temerity to drift on their pads.
Rain is scheduled but a local in the know has informed me we should be OK. Fingers crossed. Catch you in a few.
