DRS disaster strikes again as England surge ahead

DRS disaster strikes again as England surge ahead

Hostility from Lauren Filer’s bowling struck Annerie Dercksen’s helmet, but she smiled despite the blow. In her previous Test, she batted at No. 8, but this time, promoted to No. 3, she recovered from the encounter to bat on in a stand with Laura Wolvaardt that swelled to 92.

Wolvaardt, the fulcrum of South Africa's batting, paid her status respect by working her way to a half-century off 99 balls. However, she was dismissed lbw off Ecclestone due to an umpire’s error, which wasn’t apparent in real-time. The DRS, unavailable for the match, could have prevented this mistake.

Marizanne Kapp, expressing her disappointment, stated, “It’s never easy for the umpires out there… It’s a hard job for them to be correct every single time.”

The incident didn’t dampen Kapp’s spirit, as she added 99 in a partnership with Sune Luus, who scored 41. Debutant Ryana MacDonald-Gay dismissed Kapp and Nadine de Klerk, ending the partnership and wrapping up the innings inside eight overs.

England made hay in the sunshine, bowling South Africa out 114 behind. South Africa lost seven wickets for 44 runs after tea.

Maia Bouchier, who scored a century in the first innings, was dismissed for a duck in the second. Kapp and Ayanda Hlubi shared the new ball, not allowing Maia Bouchier and Beaumont a run for three overs.

Beaumont and Knight took England’s lead to 145 without further loss.