Razeen Gutta
The Momentum Proteas batted out day one of their single test against England in Taunton with a Marizanne Kapp century helping the South African women fight back from a difficult first session.
England’s women won the toss and elected to bowl first in the four day test match, with nine of the Proteas women put in to bat being debutants.
The hosts started well with the ball, as Kate Cross picked up Andrie Steyn in the fifth over of the day. Laura Wolvaardt and Lara Goodall followed soon after as Isabelle Wong and Natalie Sciver got in on the act.
The Proteas looked under immense pressure at 89/5 but Kapp had other plans.
Lizelle Lee was dismissed without scoring. As the only other player in the side apart from Lee to have played test cricket before, Kapp helped South Africa to a fightback of note, smashing 150 off 213 balls.
The 32-year-old hit 26 boundaries before being dismissed in the final phases of play. It was Lauren Bell that dismissed her, before Cross wrapped up the innings a few overs later on the final ball of the day.
The Proteas will be happy to have got 284 runs on the board, which is a promising score, considering where they were at lunchtime. England will go out to bat tomorrow knowing that the pitch still looks like a good one for the batters.
