Nonkululeko Mlaba recently achieved the historical feat of producing the best bowling figures for South Africa in a Test match after claiming a ten-fer in the one-off Test against England. Her remarkable ten-wicket haul in the one-off Test set a new benchmark for South Africa in Test cricket. This article will delve into the best-match bowling figures by South African women’s cricketers in Tests.
Best Bowling Figures for South Africa in a Women’s Test:
1) Nonkululeko Mlaba: 10/157 vs England
Mlaba’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary in the one-off Test against England in the recently concluded Test. Mlaba’s first wicket in the match was that of English opener Maia Bouchier for 126, also breaking the 174-run stand between Bouchier and Nat Sciver-Brunt. Her spell affected a batting collapse as she dismissed Dani Wyatt-Hodge with her other dismissals coming in the form of Charlie Dean as she rattled the stumps and Amy Jones in quick succession as she was the team’s top bowler, claiming four wickets.
In the second innings, Mlaba continued her mastery with her first victim being Nat Sciver-Brunt after lodging her stumps. The left-arm spinner provided timely breakthroughs for the hosts as Charlie Dean and Amy Jones were dismissed by Mlaba in the second innings as well. Her spell included a crucial wicket of Heather Knight for 90. In the second inning, she finished with figures of 6/67 to register her first fifer in an inning. Throughout the match, she finished with figures of 10/157, being one of the standout performers for South Africa in the match and also registering the best bowling match figures for Proteas.
2) Sunette Loubser: 8/59 vs Netherlands
Sunette Loubster previously held the record for the best bowling figures in a match for Proteas women. It was in July 2007, that Loubser made her Test debut against the Netherlands during South Africa’s away series. Loubser’s first wicket came in the form of dismissing Marloes Braat and later on, she trapped Caroline de Fouw for a two-ball duck. Her spell included a vital wicket of Violet Wattenberg, for 49, who was the team’s top scorer. She finished with figures of 5/37 in the first innings as Netherlands was bowled out for 108. Chasing 209, Loubser’s off-spin claimed three wickets in the second innings to finish with figures of 3/22. She finished with excellent figures of 8/59 in the match, playing a crucial role in Proteas’ 159-run win.
3) Lorna Ward: 7/76 Vs New Zealand
Number three on the list is Lorna Ward. The right arm pacer claimed a seven-fer against New Zealand in March 1972. Electing to bat first, South Africa was bowled out for 114. Ward provided the opening breakthrough for Proteas, dismissing Janice. Later on, she lodged the stumps of Lynda Prichard and then dismissed Shirley Cowles in quick succession. Her spell included a vital wicket of Carol Merrett before providing the final breakthrough in the form of Jill Saulbrey and claiming a record-breaking six-fer in an innings. In the second innings, she dismissed Janice and finished with figures of 7/76 in the match.
4) Jean McNaughton: 6/54 vs England
The medium pacer claimed six wickets against England when England toured South Africa in 1961. Jean’s first wicket came after dismissing Westbrook for 15 and then in her other spell she broke the 89-run stand for the third wicket dismissing English skipper Sharpe for 126. The Proteas pacer ran through the middle order as she went on to claim six wickets in her spell, being the standout bowler and finishing with figures of 6/54 in the match.
5) Gloria Williamson: 4/82 vs New Zealand
The medium pacer from South Africa claimed a four-fer against New Zealand at Durban in 1972. In the first innings, Williamson’s first wicket came in the form of Brentall on rattling her stumps. Later on, she cleaned up the tail after lodging stumps of Lord and then Pat Carrick to finish with figures of 3/28. In the second innings, she dismissed Lynda Prichard, finishing with figures of 4/82 in the match.
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