Marizanne Kapp leads South Africa fightback against new-look England

A magnificent 150 from Marizanne Kapp – the highest score by a South African woman in Tests – helped her side to 284 all out at stumps on the first day at Taunton, putting a dent in England’s hopes of a dream start to their new-look era.

The hosts had reduced South Africa to 45 for four, with the debutants Issy Wong and Lauren Bell claiming maiden scalps after Heather Knight made the bold decision to bowl first. Kapp, though, was happy to spoil the party, creaming boundaries through the covers and punishing anything overpitched. She shared partnerships of 72 with Anneke Bosch and 41 with Nadine de Klerk, before bringing up a 151-ball hundred during the evening session – the fastest recorded against England in women’s Tests.

“To come out and score that 150 is pretty special for me,” Kapp said. “It’s a massive highlight in my career.” Kate Cross (four for 63), who wrapped up the South African innings just after 6pm, said that she was “pleased overall” with the day, but there is no doubt that Kapp’s innings was a thorn in England’s side.

Astonishingly this was Kapp’s (and South Africa’s) first Test since November 2014; on the last occasion, she made scores of nought and 19, while in last week’s three-day warm-up she hit nought and 34.

It took a breathtaking flying catch from Tammy Beaumont at mid-off, handing Bell her second wicket of the day, to end the mammoth effort. “When I first started I was very nervous – my first Test match was an absolute nightmare,” Kapp said.

“I’ve been working really hard on my white-ball game and when I played the warm-up game a few days ago I was like: ‘I shouldn’t be playing Test matches!’ If you just take it ball by ball and forget about the colour of the ball that’s coming towards you, it