17th over: England 40-1 (Knight 24, Beaumont 12) De Klerk stitches together a maiden for the Proteas. Knight climbs into a delivery wide of off stump but her powerful drive is straight to the fielder at point. The hands are stung and no run taken. England’s lead is 154 runs, 100 more added to that and they’ll be clear favourites to take the game.

16th over: England 40-1 (Knight 24, Beaumont 12) There are a few injury niggles in South Africa’s bowling line up, Marizanne Kapp is struggling by all accounts. She’s wearing her long sleeve top in the field whereas she normally has the short sleeves on, it could jsut be sun shade but it might also be a sign that she isn’t planning on bowling many overs today. Tumi Sekhukhune has the second over of the day and it’s a decent one, just two singles taken off it.

15th over: England 38-1 (Knight 23, Beaumont 11) Beaumont tickles the first ball off her toes to open proceedings. De Klerk is full and looking for some movement with this ball only fourteen overs old. Shot! Heather Knight is too good to let a floaty half volley go by unpunished and she leans into a cover drive and threads the gap skilfully to get the first boundary of the day. Conditions look very good for batting.

The players take the field, an intriguing first session in prospect. Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa need a couple of quick wickets to put the pressure on and make sure that England don’t get too far in front. A light breeze billows the shirts and flagpoles, Nadine de Klerk is going to bowl the first over. Tammy Beaumont on strike, let’s play!

Righto, my tv is now beaming in pictures of a bright and sunny Bloemfontein into my rather murky front room in South London. Heather Knight is doing some shadow batting and the South African team are in a huddle on the boundary edge.

And here’s Ali’s report of the men’s side going down in the final Test of the series in New Zealand, to dip into your Burford Browns:

Here’s Raf’s report from Day two to dig into with your cornflakes:

Preamble

James Wallace