The multi-format series between England and South Africa starts from June 27 with a one-off Test that will be played in Taunton. These two teams locked horns against each other in the longest format way back in 2003. The match was played in Taunton and England won the match by an innings and 96 runs.
Just before the one-off Test, South Africa played a practice match against England A Women. The match ended in a draw. In that match, South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt hit 101 runs off 148 balls and Lara Goodall scored 51 runs off 103 balls in the first innings, while Andrie Steyn mustered 63 runs off 144 balls in the second innings. With the ball, Anneke Bosch was the most successful bowler for the Proteas with three wickets. On the other hand, England A’s captain Georgia Elwiss top scored with an unbeaten 100 off 122 balls in the first innings while Evelyn Jones scored 59 runs off 98 balls in the second innings. With the ball, Sarah Glenn starred with the ball as she scalped eight wickets.
Head-to-Head
England and South Africa have played six Tests against each other, out of which England have won two, South Africa have won none and four matches have ended in a draw.
Squads
England: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver, Issy Wong
South Africa: Sune Luus (c), Anneke Bosch, Trisha Chetty (wk), Nadine de Klerk, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Lizelle Lee, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Andrie Steyn, Chloe Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt
Players to watch
Heather Knight:
The captain of England is a right-handed batter, who will be the key to England’s batting. She has played nine Tests and has scored 697 runs, including three half-centuries and two centuries. Apart from her batting, she is more than a handy off-spinner. She has seven Test wickets to her name.
Natalie Sciver:
This English all-rounder is a right-handed batter and a right-arm medium pace bowler. She has featured in seven Tests and mustered 343 runs, including a couple of half-centuries. With the ball, she has claimed nine Test wickets. Her contributions with both bat and ball will be of utmost importance for England.
Laura Wolvaardt:
The right-handed opening batter of South Africa had a good outing in the practice match against England A just before the start of this series. She scored a delectable century and looked comfortable in the English conditions. The Proteas will want her to give them a good start. She will be playing her first Test.
Marizanne Kapp:
She is arguably the best all-rounder in the South African team. This right-handed batter and right-arm medium pace bowler has played one Test so far. It was against India in 2014. Just before the start of the series, she played a practice match against England A in which she registered 34 runs with the bat and accounted for one wicket.
She took 8 Wickets in the last test against 🇮🇳
How many wickets will Sophie pick in the upcoming Test against 🇿🇦?
Comment your predictions 👇 #ENGvSA pic.twitter.com/inOMembEki
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) June 26, 2022
Pitch
Four Test matches have been played at this venue to date with the latest one being played in 2019. Out of the four matches, two have ended in a draw and two have produced results. The average first innings score is 297 and the average second innings score is 324. The venue has been good for batting. Expect another batting-friendly wicket for the Test. Bowlers will have to fight hard to get the better of the batters.
Weather
The weather is expected to be breezy with clouds followed by a brightening sky. The temperature can go up to 29 degrees Celsius. As per the forecast, there is 25 percent chance of rain and 99 percent cloud cover. The wind will blow from the west-southwest.
Fantasy Playing XI
Amy Jones, Laura Wolvaardt, Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Natalie Sciver, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Shabnim Ismail, Tumi Sekhukhune.
Match details
Date: June 27-June 30, 2022
Time: 3.30 PM IST
Venue: The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton
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I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.