Key events:
2nd over: South Africa (Steyn 2, Wolvaardt 8) Boom! That’s the trademark Wolvaardt who nails back-to-back drives through the covers in that Nat Sciver over. Lovely stuff from South Africa’s alpha.
1st over: South Africa 1-0 (Steyn 1, Wolvaardt 0) That’s a top, top start from the veteran Katherine Brunt who is on the money immediately. Her first two balls whizz past Andrie Steyn’s bat. The second one even prompts a (rash) review for caught behind. Nothing doing though. No matter, the rest of her set is tidy enough with just a squirmed single down to fine leg.
Is there anybody out there? Five minutes to go. The players are making their way out for the anthems. Am I doing the game a disservice by mentioning the vast swathes of empty seats? I get that the calendar is rammed and the Commonwealth Games looms large over the horizon, but it’s a real shame that this first ODI is scheduled on a Monday. It’s also hot (have I mentioned how hot it is?) and that’s perhaps keeping a few fans away til later. I was at Trent Bridge yesterday and it was rocking. Pity we won’t get that sort of atmosphere today.
History suggests it’ll be an England walkover, but not if you take recent history into account. Overall it’s a wash with the home side in the ascendency. However, they’re 1-1 this year. Anyone’s game.
England v South Africa
Women’s ODI seriesHead to head
ENG 40-9 SA
1 no resultIn England
ENG 15-5 SALast 5 years
ENG 4-2 SAEngland have won all nine previous bilateral ODI series they’ve played against SA.
Recent form
England WWWWWL
South Africa LWLWWW#ENGvSA— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) July 11, 2022
A few tweaks for England as well. It’s a rejigged team from the World Cup final. Sophia Dunkley up to three with Danni Wyatt, who opened in that showpiece event in April, drops down to six. Emma Lamb, who impressed in the Test in Taunton, opens up.
Our XI for the first ODI of the series!
South Africa win the toss and will bat first.
🏴 #ENGvSA 🇿🇦
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 11, 2022
A few changes for South Africa. Lee may be gone but the Proteas welcome back bit hitter Chloe Tryon so should still pack some punch in the middle order.
South Africa win toss, bat first
As expected, the skipper who wins the coin flip has chosen to bat on what looks like a flat deck. And that’s exactly what Sune Luus chooses to do.
Lizelle Lee leaves a legacy.
“That’s a tell-tale sign of a proper hot day.” So says the estimable Nick Friend of The Cricketer while spying the high density of floppy hats from the South Africans. That’s nine out 18 by my count. That sort of day.
Preamble
Good day and welcome to Northampton where it is COOKING! It’s a proper scorcher out there with some of the outfield looking in desperate need of a drink. I’m guessing so will the players across a day expected to reach 30°C. Not that these two teams need help bringing the heat.
As Australia continue to set a blistering pace in the women’s game, England and South Africa are vying for that contender’s spot. England have triumphed in three of the last five ODI encounters, most recently in the World Cup semi-final in March where Sophie Ecclestone claimed 6-36 in a 137-run win. But South Africa edged their group stage match and will back themselves to challenge their hosts today.
They’ll have to do so without the power-hitting opener Lizelle Lee as she unexpectedly retired from all international cricket this. After the damp squib that was the Test in Taunton, everyone will be itching for a result to inject some life in this multi-format series.
I’m Daniel. I’ve got you covered for the first innings.
Toss at 1:30, play at 2pm.
