South Africa all-rounder Marizanne Kapp created history in women's Test cricket on June 27. Donning the whites after a long gap of over seven years, Marizanne played the saviour's role in the one-off Test with a 150-run knock against England. Marizanne’s 150 is now the highest score by a no.6 batter or lower in women's Tests.
Records broken
She broke the 26-year-old record of English batter Kathryn Leng. Against New Zealand, Leng scored 144 runs in 1996. The 32-year-old broke a couple more records too. She became the first ever South African batter to score 150 runs in the format. It is also the second 150-plus score for South Africa in any format of women's cricket.
She broke a 59-year-old record as well with her rescue act. The previous-highest score by a South African batter in women's Tests belonged to Yvonne van Mentz who scored 105 not out. Interestingly, both these batters batted at no.6 for South Africa.
Counter-attacking knock
Marizanne came out to bat when South Africa were struggling at 45/5. Marizanne took charge of the proceedings and shared crucial partnership. Marizanne along with Anne Bosch frustrated English bowlers with the 72-run partnership for the sixth wicket. She batted with the tail as well and scored quickly at a strike rate of 70.42 which is nearly her strike rate in the ODI format.
Her 150-run knock was studded with 26 fours. Eventually, she got out in the last half an hour of Day 1. The counter-attacking knock helped South Africa post 284 on the board in the first innings after skipper Heather Knight won the toss and opted to field first. Apart from Marizanne, the second-highest score by a South African batter was scored by Bosch (30). Kate Cross was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts with four wickets in 17.4 overs.
Last Test appearance
The last time Marizanne played Test cricket was against India in November 2014. She remained wicketless and scored 19 runs in two innings at Mysore.
