After a rough beginning for the Proteas Women, a sterling 150 from Marizanne Kapp, the experienced allrounder, has driven her side to a competitive first-innings score of 284.

The one-off Test match between England and South Africa has gotten off to quite the entertaining start, with both sides enjoying success at different intervals.

It was all about the hosts early on, as four wickets fell before SA reached 50. The in-form Laura Wolvaardt was a huge wicket for England, as the Proteas batters faced a disciplined attack for much of the first session.

It was a 72-run 6th-wicket partnership that started to resurrect an innings that threatened to flounder rather quickly. Kapp got off to a measured start, and Anneke Bosch provided priceless company.

While the lower order couldn’t score that many runs, they did well to support Kapp, who shifted through the gears as her innings progressed. She reached a maiden Test ton in only her second match, and at one point, it looked to be just enough to stay in contention.

However, she struck a flurry of boundaries during the 9th and final wicket partnerships. Following her dismissal, the Proteas already had a respectable 276 on the board. It’s been a fabulous effort to fight back, and given the team has 9 debutants, this recovery only tastes sweeter.

Kate Cross was the pick of the England bowlers, with 4 wickets. Her first spell was key to denting the South Africans’ progress in the opening session, and she came back to close out the innings.

Now the Proteas are without their pace ace Shabnim Ismail, but their bowling has been known to challenge top sides on a regular basis. Does this relatively inexperienced team have what it takes to grab an early advantage, or will the England batters cash in on home conditions and score an imposing total?

SA-W 284 (Kapp 150 – Cross 4/63)