England’s Maia Bouchier and Nat Sciver-Brunt struck remarkable centuries but Nonkululeko Mlaba spearheaded the Proteas Women’s fightback on Day 1 of the one-off Test at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
On her Test debut, Bouchier smashed 22 fours and two sixes in a stunning knock of 126 off 154 balls. Sciver-Brunt followed with an aggressive 128 off 145 deliveries, featuring 18 boundaries. However, Mlaba stole the spotlight for the home side with a career-best Test haul of 4/90, as England declared their innings on 395/9. South Africa then navigated the final six overs of the day unscathed, reaching 17/0 and trailing by 378 runs.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, England’s openers, Tammy Beaumont (21) and Bouchier, laid a solid foundation with a 50-run partnership. The breakthrough came when Ayanda Hlubi (2/40) claimed her maiden Test wicket, dismissing Beaumont.
Undeterred, Bouchier built another half-century stand with skipper Heather Knight (20), pushing England’s score to 103/1. Tumi Sekhukhune (1/37) then struck, trapping Knight lbw to bring the dangerous Sciver-Brunt to the crease.
Sciver-Brunt and Bouchier dominated the South African attack with a commanding 174-run partnership for the third wicket. Both batters reached their centuries but Mlaba struck just before the tea break to dismiss Bouchier.
After the interval, Mlaba continued her brilliant spell, supported by Suné Luus (0/78), who bowled tirelessly. Mlaba removed Danni Wyatt-Hodge (12) and executed a run out of Sciver-Brunt at the non-striker’s end, reducing England to 357/5 in the 79th over.
With England’s centurions back in the pavilion, Mlaba claimed two more wickets, while Hlubi and Marizanne Kapp (1/20) chipped in to restrict the visitors. England declared their innings at 395/9 after 92 overs.
In response, South African openers Laura Wolvaardt (8*) and Anneke Bosch (6*) safely negotiated a tricky six-over spell before stumps.
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