Heather Knight secured her first Test win as England captain after her team defeated South Africa by a commanding 286 runs in the one-off women’s Test at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, on Tuesday, 17 December, 2024. All Photos: Cricket SA

Heather Knight secured her first Test win as England captain after her team defeated South Africa by a commanding 286 runs in the one-off women’s Test, marking England’s first Test victory in a decade on Day 3 at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, on Tuesday, 17 December, 2024.

This was the 150th women’s Test, and the first hosted by South Africa in over 20 years, since India won by 10 wickets in Paarl in March 2002.

The match carried historical significance and delivered on its promise on a surface that offered opportunities for both batters and bowlers. Considering that over 60% of women’s Tests have ended in draws, this positive result is a significant step forward in promoting the growth of women’s Test cricket.

Knight top-scored in England’s second innings, falling just 10 runs short of a Test century. Her efforts helped her team post 236 all out, setting South Africa a record-breaking 351 to win. England’s bowlers then capitalized, skittling South Africa for just 64, their lowest-ever Test score, in only 19.4 overs.

Strike bowler Lauren Bell was named Player of the Match for her impressive 8/76 across both innings. She was the chief destroyer in South Africa’s second innings, taking 4/27 to add to her 4/49 in the first.

At the press conference, Knight reflected on the achievement: “First Test win in a decade is a pretty important thing. 

“My first Test win as captain as well. I’ve loved the graft over the last three days that put us in a position to be able to go do what we did this afternoon and really finish the game off in some style.”

England Captain, Heather Knight

However, Knight expressed frustration about the absence of DRS: 

“I was pretty shocked when I found out at the umpires’ meeting the day before, that we weren’t going to have it, so it’s a real shame. 

“You kind of come to expect it as a player, I guess now, and I guess the reason is always money. But I think, particularly in Test cricket, where wickets are at such a premium, it’s a really important thing to have.”

Recently appointed Proteas Women head coach Mandla Mashimbyi addressed the loss, reflecting on the team’s performance – On South Africa’s Performance:

“I think we controlled the game beautifully in the first 70 overs of our first batting innings, but losing a lot of wickets after that pegged us back. How we bowled after lunch was impressive. The girls came back beautifully to bowl England out in the last session.

Proteas Women Head Coach, Mandla Mashimbyi

“In the second innings, the way we controlled with the ball was excellent. The two openers were unbelievable—three maidens, and we got a wicket. And then, of course, Mlaba’s ten-for. She just got better and better as the game went. It’s unfortunate to bowl like that and not get the win.”

On positives from the match, the new coach said: “There are a lot of positives to take from this Test.”

“It didn’t end the way we wanted, but you could see changes happening within the game. We started applying pressure with the ball, understanding the right lines and lengths to bowl. Plans and field placings were better.”

“These are the things we’ll carry forward and aim to do relentlessly when another opportunity presents itself—though unfortunately, that won’t be for another year since we don’t have a Test match scheduled.”

Discussing future preparations, coach Mashimbyi said: “Part of the responsibility lies with me, and part with others in the structures who make those decisions.”

“For my part, I’ll ensure we expose our players to more red-ball cricket. We’ll include two-day matches in our camps to give them this experience and help them understand their games better.

“Ultimately, though, some decisions will have to come from higher up. But when it comes to preparing my team, this is something we’ll definitely focus on.”

Despite the heavy loss, South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba made history in Bloemfontein. She became the first South African woman to take 10 wickets in a Test match and only the fourth South African spinner ever to achieve the feat.

England win the Only Test against the Proteas Women at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, the Free State, on Tuesday, 17 December, 2024

Sunday, 15 December: Day 1 Wrap England 395/9d (92 overs); SA 17/0 (6 overs)
Monday, 16 December: Day 2 Wrap England 395/9d & 31/1 (14 overs); SA 281 (88/4 overs)
Tuesday, 17 December: Day 3 Wrap England 395/9d & 236; SA 281 & 64

South Africa Playing X1 

1. Laura Wolvaardt (capt)
2. Anneke Bosch
3. Annerie Dercksen
4. Sune Luus
5. Marizanne Kapp
6. Nadine de Klerk
7. Chloe Tryon
8. Sinalo Jafta (wk)
9. Tumi Sekhukhune
10. Nonkululeko Mlaba
11. Ayanda Hlubi

England Playing X1

1. Tammy Beaumont
2. Maia Bouchier
3. Heather Knight (capt)
4. Nat Sciver-Brunt
5. Danni Wyatt-Hodge
6. Amy Jones (wk)
7. Charlie Dean
8. Sophie Ecclestone
9. Ryana MacDonald-Gay
10. Lauren Filer
11. Lauren Bell

Results for the Proteas Women’s Inbound Tour against England from 24 November to 15 December, 2024

England Win the T20I Series 3-0

Sunday, 24 November: South Africa lost to England by 4 wickets (4 balls rem., Buffalo Park Stadium, East London)
Wednesday, 27 November: South Africa lost to England by 36 runs (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
Saturday, 30 November: South Africa lost to England by 9 wickets (With 51 balls rem., at SuperSport Park, Centurion)

England Win the IWC ODI Series 2-1

Wednesday, 4 December: South Africa beat England by 6 wickets (70 balls rem., at Kimberley Oval, Kimberley)
Sunday, 8 December: South Africa lost to England by 6 wickets (156 balls rem., Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban)
Wednesday, 11 December: South Africa lost to England by 6 wickets (24 balls rem., JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom)


Original Copy: Cricket South Africa, with editing by gsport

Main Photo Caption: Heather Knight secured her first Test win as England captain after her team defeated South Africa by a commanding 286 runs in the one-off women’s Test at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, on Tuesday, 17 December, 2024. All Photos: Cricket SA 

Photo 2 Caption: One highlight for the Proteas Women was Nonkululeko Mlaba taking six wickets to bowl out England, taking the first-ever 10-for by an SA woman bowler.

Photo 3 Caption: Mlaba walks off the oval to the richly-deserved applause of the crowd. This achievement follows her top-ranking performance at the 2024 ICC Women’s T20.

Photo 4 Caption: Proteas Women Head Coach Mandla Mashimbyi said the team would play increased declaration cricket, but laments that there is no Test scheduled for 2025.

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