CAPE TOWN – In a stunning display of batting prowess, the Indian women’s cricket team amassed a formidable 525 for four on the opening day of their one-off Test match against South Africa. The standout performances came from openers Shafali Verma, who scored a record-breaking 205, and Smriti Mandhana, who contributed 149 runs.
South African spinner Delmi Tucker, who emerged as the most successful bowler for her side with figures of 2-141, praised the Indian batters’ exceptional performance. “Nothing taking away from their batters today; they were phenomenal,” Tucker told reporters at the post-day press conference.
Despite keeping Verma in check during the recent ODI series, where she managed only 52 runs in three matches, the South African team struggled to contain her in the longer format. Tucker acknowledged the difference, stating, “It’s a different format, and obviously, she has more time to settle down. She gave her all and made the most of the opportunity.”
The South African team faced multiple challenges throughout the day, including difficulties in maintaining consistent bowling lines and fielding errors. Tucker admitted, “We could have definitely been better on the field. Overthrows and misfields are not the best of things.”
The spinner also highlighted the lack of a proper red-ball setup in South African women’s cricket as a contributing factor to their struggles. “We don’t have multi-day competitions at home, which makes the transition to Test cricket more challenging,” Tucker explained.
Looking ahead to Day Two, Tucker remains optimistic. She noted that the pitch began offering more turn after lunch and hopes her team can capitalize on this. “We need to take more advantage of it tomorrow,” she said, indicating that South Africa will be looking to refresh their strategy and turn the tide in their favor.
As the Test match continues, all eyes will be on how the South African team responds to India’s dominant first-day performance. With four days of play remaining, there’s still ample opportunity for dramatic shifts in this historic one-off Test between the two nations.
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