After a 3-0 win in the T20s, all looked fine and dandy for Jon Lewis’ crew.
But they had been facing a Proteas side shorn of full strength. Then came the switch to ODIs and a return to lingering doubts.
First ODI in brief
Reinforced with the return of top names like Marizanne Kapp and Sune Luus, the Proteas undid England.
When Maia Bouchier became a last-moment withdrawal through injury, Lewis reinstated Sophia Dunkley as an opener. She lasted five balls for four runs. A sad fate.
Of the mainline batters only Heather Knight impressed with 40, so they were grateful to Charlie Dean who top-scored with 47* coming in at No 7. 186 looked less bleak than the earlier 106-7.
But the bowling failed to convince too. Laura Wolvaardt was happy to take her time; she was still at the crease 39 overs later, having compiled 59* at an old-fashioned pace. What a lovely change from smash, bang, wallop! Dercksen, Kapp and de Klerk kept her company, and four English bowlers managed a wicket each. Sophie Ecclestone was the exception, but remained the most economical.
Inevitably, Lewis’ selection came into question. Alice Capsey, given another chance, seemed to be employed as an all-rounder; she was listed No 7, far lower than usual. Would she be turning her arm over? No! So she was reintroduced merely to pad out the batting-order. Sarah Glenn and Kate Cross once more failed to make the XI.
Result: England 186; SA 189-4. SA won by 6 wickets with a yawning 11.4 overs to spare. This was an important shot in the arm for the hosts.
Second ODI
For this game Lewis reintroduced Cross but not Glenn. Why hadn’t Cross made the team for the previous game? She was much the most reliable and economical of the quicker bowling options. In the event she took a modest 0-18.
Here in Kimberley things went far better for England. Lauren Filer made two early breakthroughs, her deliveries discomfiting the batters through sheer speed. She picked up a late wicket too to finish with 3-32.
But the executioner-in-chief was Charlie Dean. She took 4-45, including a memorable hat-trick and causing a match-turning collapse from 72-2 to 76-7. Her post-match reading of her performance confirmed the impression of a clear-headed analyst at work.
For a while South Africa’s restored strength proved important. In a batting role similar to Dean’s, Chloe Tryon added 45 at almost a run a ball. It needed a sharp catch by Beaumont at short- square off Ecclestone to remove her.
But the Proteas had lost eight wickets before halfway. That should prove irreparable.
The Reply
How smooth a run would it be to the modest target of 136?
Kapp set problems from the start; Beaumont needed luck as well as skill to survive her first over.
Neither batter was completely comfortable, but both managed to hit solid fours to get the
scoreboard clicking round. Bouchier was the more aggressive as they reached 50 in under ten overs. It was Anneke Dercksen who made the breakthrough, deceiving Bouchier with a bouncer. (33/35)
Hypocaust was kind enough to point out that Beaumont was figuring in her 100th consecutive ODI. As Knight came out to partner her, that was one heap of experience on show.
Proving her all-round value, Dercksen claimed her second with TTB’s dismissal. She went for a leg-side lifter, only to be taken behind by Sinalo Jafta diving left (34/52). English doubts returned. Kapp needed a DRS verdict, but, yes, she had pinned Knight lbw. 82-3, and England weren’t strolling home. NSB 0*, DWH 0*.
Once again experience proved decisive. The pair put on 47 in quick time, though Nat Sciver-Brunt fell seven short of the target. It was yet another ball that kept low. Amy Jones hit two fours in three balls, and England could rejoice.
Scores:
South Africa 135 (Tryon 45, Wolvaardt 35, Dean 4-45, Ecclestone 3-27)
England 137-4 (Beaumont 34, Bouchier 33)
Result: England won by six wickets
Teams:
South Africa
Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Anneke Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta (w-k), Nonkululuko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka
England
Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Heather Knight (captain), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones (w-k), Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Lauren Filer
Afterthoughts
The stats come flying: Ecclestone’s ODI average is exactly 20; Dean’s is a touch below 20!
Once more we can play the guessing game. After the third and final ODI comes the highly significant test match. Will Lewis keep his eyes firmly on Potchefstroom on the 11th (“we always take one game at a time!”), or consider options for the 4-dayer in Bloemfontein on the 15th?
Test matches are like swallows in winter. This one will be a first between the two nations.
