Alice in wonderland after Davidson-Richards debut ton puts England on top against South Africa in women’s Test at Taunton
- England ended day two of their Test against South Africa on 328-6
- Alice Davidson-Richards and Nat Sciver scored hundreds in Taunton
- The hosts lead by 44 runs with two days of the Tests remaining
Alice Davidson-Richards said scoring a Test century on debut was ‘bloody brilliant’ as Nat Sciver also hit a ton to take England to 328 for six against South Africa.
Davidson-Richards hit 107 in the women’s Test at Taunton before being caught at point from the final ball of day two as she became the first England cricketer, male or female, since WG Grace to score a century and take a wicket on Test debut.
The Surrey Stars player was helped by her former school and hockey team-mate Sciver, who made an unbeaten 119 to guide England out of trouble after they slipped to 121 for five.
Alice Davidson-Richards of England makes their way off after being dismissed for 107
They finished with a 44-run lead and for the debutant it was a dream come true.
‘It was bloody brilliant,’ said Davidson-Richards. ‘It means a lot having Nat there. From when we started driving up to Loughborough years ago to being out there playing a Test is really, really special.’
England have put themselves in a good position to win their first Test 2014 — and first at home since 2005 — and Sciver wants them to push on. ‘There were comments that didn’t support women’s Tests,’ she said.
‘That isn’t something we agree with, so we are playing in the limelight after that and want to push for a result.’
Davidson-Richards said scoring a Test century on debut was ‘bloody brilliant’