HOVE: England mid-level batsman Nat Sciver and debutant Alice Davidson-Richard rallied the home side from collapse with their centuries as they built a 44-run lead over South Africa late on day two.
In the unique Test between the two sides, the hosts started their first inning from 0/0 in response to South Africa’s 284 and got off to a brilliant start as their starting pair provided a strong foundation with a standing 65 run.
The duo of Emma Lamb and Tammy Beaumont showed determination and dominated the bowlers until Day 19 before Anneke Bosch caught the latter in her legs to score her side’s first hit. Beaumont scored 28 of 61 balls with the help of four limits.
After his departure, the home team began losing wickets at regular intervals and soon fell to 121-5 after lunch.
England’s star pairing of Sciver and Davidson-Richard then anchored the innings with both scoring centuries and bolstered his side to take a decent 44-run lead before the latter died in the final installment of day two’s play.
The debutant scored 107 of 194 balls, linked with 17 limits, while Sciver remained undefeated with her astonishing 119 of 207 shipments with the help of 15 limits.
For South Africa, Bosch led the way with three wickets, while Tumi Sekhukhune Nonkululeko Mlaba made a scalp apiece.
Sciver 119* and Sophi Ecclestone will now resume England’s first innings at 328/6 as they looked to gain a good lead over the opposition.
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