Key events
17th over: England 40-1 (Knight 24, Beaumont 12) De Klerk, a virgin, was sent to the Proteas. Knight goes up wide of the stumps, but a powerful drive is straight to field point. The hands are struck, and they are not caught running. England’s lead is 154 runs, 100 more are added, and they will be clear favorites to take the game.
16th over: England 40-1 (Knight 24, Beaumont 12) There are a few injury niggles in the South African tour up, Marizanne Kapp is working on all accounts. He wears his long sleeved top in the field, when he usually has short sleeves, Sun may be a shadow, but it may also be a sign that he is not planning to bowl more rounds today. Tumi Sekhukhune has the second of the day and to be honest, only two are out.
15th over: England 38-1 (Equet 23, Beaumont 11). Beaumont tickles the first ball of his fingers for open action. De Klerk is full and looking for some movement with this ball in only fourteen overs. Shot! Heather Knight is too good to let the floaters slip through the middle unpunished and relies on cover drives and thread to get a clever crack for the first boundary of the day. Conditions are looking very good for batting.
The field of playersThe environment was looking forward to the first session. Laura Wolvaardt South Africa need two quick wickets to put the pressure on and make sure England don’t get too far ahead. A light breeze floats the boat and Nadine de Klerk heads for the first bowl. Hitting Tammy Beaumont, let’s do it!
Right, my tv is now nixing in pictures bright and sunny Bloemfontein in my rather blind room in South London. Heather Knight is batting in the shade and the South African team is cohabiting at the far end of the boundary.
And here’s Ali’s report on going down in the last series in New Zealand, in your Burford Browns dip:
Here is Raf from the day he announces that the two of them are digging cornflakes:
The beginning
James Waleys
Hello and welcome today three South Africa v England in Bloemfontein. After classy centuries from Maia Bouchier and Nat Sciver Brunt in the first innings and with Lawrence Campan impressive all around working the balls with four wickets tending, Heather Knight’s side will look to be in commanding position and set for victory the next day or so.
The captain and expert Tammy Beaumont are on hand to increase with a lead of 145 and nine wickets in which to extend it to win the par position. South Africa need quick wickets to keep their fourth innings chase down to a manageable one. It promises to be a corker.
The action leaves a little more than half an hour, I’ll be here for the first half of the day before Daniel Harris throws for the second. Let us know your thoughts, theories and festive musings on the left side of this page.
This is especially true crickety at the time of the year