Visakhapatnam
South Africa 232 for 2 (Luus 109, Wolvaardt 93*, Harmanpreet 1-24) and 266 (Kapp 74, Luus 65, Rana 8-77) trail India 603 for 6 dec by 105 runs
At stumps on day three, South Africa were 232 for 2 in their second innings, with Luus scoring a century and Wolvaardt unbeaten on 93. The team will be looking to continue their strong performance on the final day to secure a draw.
Rana made an impact early in the day, dismissing key batters like Kapp and Jafta. Her bowling performance helped India dominate the session and put pressure on South Africa’s batting lineup.
South Africa were forced to follow-on after falling 337 runs behind. Despite losing an early wicket, Wolvaardt and Luus built a strong partnership, frustrating the Indian bowlers and paving the way for a potential draw.
Both batters showed great determination and adaptability on a challenging pitch, with Luus reaching her maiden century in the final session. Wolvaardt, on the other hand, displayed composure and skill, guiding South Africa towards a potential lead on the final day.
Despite India’s efforts to break the partnership, Harmanpreet Kaur and the bowlers struggled to find breakthroughs. The South African batters capitalized on the inconsistent bowling and slow pitch, building a strong position heading into the final day of the Test match.
With the possibility of taking the lead on the last day, South Africa’s performance has turned the game around from a seemingly difficult situation earlier. The team will look to capitalize on their strong position and finish the Test match on a high note.
Jemimah Rodrigues of India faced challenges with cramps, impacting her performance in the later sessions. The final day of the Test match promises an exciting conclusion as both teams look to make their mark in this historic encounter.
Srinidhi Ramanujam is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo
