While the seamers played starring roles, wicketkeeper Amy Jones and left-arm spinner Ecclestone also proved crucial. They ensured that South Africa’s top order, despite batting well, were unable to be ruthless in the manner of Bouchier and Nat Sciver-Brunt for England on day one.
Ecclestone may have got a touch fortunate with the wicket of Wolvaardt if she did get an edge, but that moment followed a spell of remarkable consistency that gave the batter so few options to score and put the pressure back on.
Wolvaardt seemed happy to defend Ecclestone and score from the other end, but she could only defy the spinner’s greatness for so long, getting stuck on the crease by one defensive prod too many.
The result was a furious Wolvaardt thumping her helmet with her bat as she marched off in disbelief, and while that was Ecclestone’s only scalp, she twirled away for 25 overs and conceded just 40, which allowed captain Knight to rotate her seamers regularly and ensure they were all well rested between spells.
Meanwhile, Jones’ ability to stand up to the medium-pacers set up the prized wicket of Kapp, who also found herself stuck in the crease and unable to manipulate the ball as effectively as she had against Bell and Filer.
Kapp became frustrated and lost her off stump, while De Klerk also fell victim to the same trap as she got an edge through to Jones for a sharp catch.
Luus had previously dropped anchor as Kapp was more aggressive, but following the wickets she looked uncertain about whether to continue with the approach or try to increase her strike rate when batting with the tail, eventually falling to the new ball by edging Filer behind after a 148-ball stay.
The pitch is showing signs of deteriorating and Beaumont and Knight had to negotiate some uneven bounce at the end of the day.
England’s healthy lead puts them in a commanding position, though a forecast for wet weather on day four could force them to move the game along at a quicker rate.
