England Thrash South Africa by 286 Runs as Bell Stars in Stunning Collapse

England claimed their first Test victory in ten years with a dominant 286-run win over South Africa in Bloemfontein, bowling the hosts out for just 64 in their second innings after setting them a target of 351. Lauren Bell, who had already impressed with a career-best 4 for 49 in the first innings, improved on that performance, taking 4 for 27 to finish with a match-winning 8 for 76. Lauren Filer and Sophie Ecclestone also made vital contributions as England wrapped up South Africa’s innings in just 19.4 overs, completing the win inside three days.

Despite South Africa’s dismal batting display, they had some bright moments with the ball, particularly from left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba, who became the first South African to take 10 wickets in a women’s Test. Mlaba’s efforts were overshadowed, though, as England’s clinical performance secured the third-largest defeat by runs in women’s Test history. South Africa will have much to reflect on after this heavy loss.

Explore the latest blogs on IPLbookmakers.

Knight’s Captaincy Anchors England’s Victory as South Africa’s Batting Collapses

England’s victory was built on a captain’s knock from Heather Knight, who scored her sixth Test half-century. She fell just 10 runs short of a third century, anchoring an innings where the middle-order players got starts, but only Knight was able to convert. Her most productive partnership was a third-wicket stand of 67 with Nat Sciver-Brunt, which outscored South Africa’s entire second-innings total by three runs. South Africa, on the other hand, struggled, with only one partnership worth 20 runs and six players dismissed for single figures. The absence of Ayanda Hlubi, ruled out with a torn hip flexor, meant South Africa had just ten batters after the injury.

By the time Hlubi would have been needed, South Africa’s fate was sealed. They lost both openers in the 5.2 overs before tea, both to lbw decisions. Laura Wolvaardt was caught on the back foot by a delivery from Bell that seamed in, and though she had been unlucky in the first innings, this dismissal was fair. Anneke Bosch had more reason for frustration, given her dismissal by Filer, as the ball kept low and appeared to be missing leg stump. The biggest talking point came after the break, when Bell appealed for a catch off Annerie Dercksen at short leg. Although it wasn’t given initially, the umpires referred the decision, despite the absence of DRS, and Dercksen was eventually sent on her way.

Bell continued to find movement, bowling Sune Luus through the gate, while Nadine de Klerk was run out for a duck. Chloe Tryon followed, dismissed lbw to an Ecclestone arm-ball, also for a duck, as England worked through the tail. South Africa’s No. 8, Sinalo Jafta, was next to go, pinned on the pads by Bell’s inswinger, leaving the innings in shambles at 44 for 7. Three overs later, Marizanne Kapp, the last remaining batter, was dismissed for a duck, superbly caught by Beaumont at silly point, bringing the match to a swift conclusion.

Earlier, South Africa could take some pride in their bowling effort. De Klerk and Tumi Sekhukhune bowled with discipline, giving away just 12 runs in the first six overs. Sekhukhune removed Beaumont for 12, lbw to an inswinger, and with no DRS, the decision stood as fair.

South Africa’s Spin Attack Dominates as Mlaba Claims Key Wickets

Sekhukhune was replaced by Dercksen, but South Africa opted for a double spin attack with Mlaba at one end and Tryon at the other. Given the turn on offer and the amount Mlaba generates, she was expected to be a threat. She nearly claimed a wicket in her fourth over when Sciver-Brunt edged a delivery while lunging forward to block, but Jafta couldn’t hold onto the chance. At 19, Sciver-Brunt went on to hit three fours off Mlaba in that over, and the floodgates opened.

Mlaba eventually dismissed Sciver-Brunt when the batter chopped on after a delivery kept low. This brought Danni Wyatt-Hodge to the crease, known for finding runs behind square on the off side. She raced to 23 from 23 balls before slicing a delivery from Sekhukhune to the fielder at deep third. Amy Jones then joined Knight, who had brought up her fifty off 99 balls, and they saw England to lunch, ending a successful session. Despite a slow start, England managed 136 runs in 27 overs before lunch, at just over five runs an over.

After the break, Mlaba switched ends and struck from the Willows End. Amy Jones, just moments before it was revealed that South Africa’s skipper had received a demerit point for excessive disappointment after being dismissed lbw in the first innings, edged a leading shot to Wolvaardt in the covers. Mlaba continued to shine, picking up her third wicket when Charlie Dean flicked to short mid-wicket. Knight moved into the 80s with a strong sweep off Sune Luus, but that shot would prove her downfall. One over after Sophie Ecclestone was dismissed in a similar fashion, Knight was beaten by a delivery that turned into her and struck her on the pad—she had no review left.

Ryana MacDonald-Gay was bowled through the bat-pad gap to become Mlaba’s 10th wicket. England’s innings came to an end with half an hour to go before tea, and it took just 69 minutes after the break to complete the match.