Rain arrives to aid South Africa after England chip out two more

Lunch South Africa 284 and 140 for 5 (Sekhukhune 19*, Kapp 17*) lead England 417 for 8 dec by seven runs

Tumi Sekhukhune, South Africa’s nightwatcher, and Marizanne Kapp, their first-innings centurion, frustrated England’s attempts to push for a result even before rain arrived on the final morning of their Test in Taunton.

Sekhukhune, who came to the crease with her side 55 for 3 on the third evening, faced 105 balls to be 19 not out when heavy showers hit with 26 minutes remaining in an elongated morning session following the previous day’s rain delays, bringing about the lunch break. Kapp, meanwhile, was unbeaten on 17 from 23 balls, having scored 150 in the first innings to keep her side in the contest.

England made an encouraging start to the day with Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone removing the dangerous Sune Luus and Lizelle Lee, but Sekhukhune, making her Test debut after playing 48 white-ball internationals, was resolute as Kapp took South Africa into the lead with a booming cover drive for four off Ecclestone.

England had declared on the third morning with a lead of 133 runs, which the tourists had closed to 78 by stumps.

Cross came on for the seventh over of the day and after a maiden initially, she struck with her seventh ball, trapping Luus lbw with a length ball that came back in as the South Africa captain stepped across her stumps and tried to work it square.

Some drizzle arrived but it wasn’t heavy enough to take the players from the field and soon enough Taunton was bathed in bright sunshine again.

England thought Ecclestone had Lee lbw when she was struck on the pad by one that spun back past the bat and the hosts reviewed, but Sue Redfern’s not-out decision was upheld on umpire’s call on impact.

England should have had Lee out in the next over when young quick Issy Wong was brought back into the attack for the first time since she took two wickets late on the previous evening. Lee slashed at a length ball just outside off and edged behind but the ball popped out of wicketkeeper Amy Jones’ glove as she leapt to her right to take a regulation chance.

Sekhukhune struck the next ball, off Ecclestone, firmly at Tammy Beaumont, who had very little time to react at short leg, the ball deflecting off her on the shoulder. Then Lee struck Ecclestone narrowly over Lauren Bell who was back pedalling from mid-on.

Lee brought up South Africa’s 100 with consecutive fours off Wong, clearing cover and pulling through deep fine leg. But she gifted her wicket to Ecclestone who drew her in with a ball floated up well outside off stump and Lee’s eyes lit up as she lofted it towards wide mid off where Cross had what seemed like an eternity to run back and take a rolling catch.