The year 2024 will be etched in the annals of cricket as one that revived and revolutionized women’s Test cricket. With exhilarating performances, historic milestones, and unforgettable moments, the longest format of the game showcased its charm and competitiveness. Let’s revisit six extraordinary highlights from this landmark year.
Nat Sciver-Brunt’s Dazzling Record: The Fastest Century in Women’s Test Cricket
The one-off Test between South Africa and England at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein was historic for several reasons, but none more so than Nat Sciver-Brunt’s blistering century. In a game that marked South Africa’s return to hosting women’s Test cricket after 22 years, Sciver-Brunt rose to the occasion with a stunning display of power-hitting and precision.
On day 1 of the Test, Sciver-Brunt carved her name into history books by smashing the fastest hundred in women’s Test cricket, reaching the milestone in just 96 balls. Her fearless knock of 128 off 145 balls, punctuated with 18 exquisite boundaries, broke a 26-year-old record held by Chamani Seneviratna, who had scored a 106-ball century for Sri Lanka in 1998.
Adding to the excitement, earlier in the innings, Maia Bouchier became the fastest Englishwoman to score a Test century, reaching the milestone off 124 balls, surpassing Jan Brittin’s 1984 record of 137 balls. However, Sciver-Brunt’s astonishing innings stole the show, becoming the talk of the cricketing world and highlighting her reputation as one of the game’s finest batters.
Nonkululeko Mlaba’s Historic 10-Wicket Haul
South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba achieved a once-in-a-lifetime feat in the same Test match, becoming the first South African woman to claim a 10-wicket haul in a Test. Her performance not only stood out statistically but also served as a rallying cry for her team in a tough contest.
In England’s first innings, Mlaba’s off-spin weaved magic as she dismantled the visitors’ batting lineup, claiming 4 for 90. Among her scalps was debutant Maia Bouchier, who had scored a commanding 126. Mlaba’s ability to extract turn and flight the ball consistently troubled England’s batters, keeping South Africa in contention.
Her second innings performance was nothing short of spectacular. Returning figures of 6 for 65, Mlaba tore through England’s middle order, also claiming the prized wicket of Heather Knight who was batting on 90. Despite her heroic efforts, South Africa’s batting collapse in the fourth innings left them with a record-low total of 65, leading to a comprehensive 286-run loss. Mlaba’s match figures of 10 for 155 remain a monumental achievement in South African cricket.
England Ends a Decade-Long Test Winless Streak
For England, the Test in Bloemfontein marked the end of a frustrating 10-year winless drought in women’s Test cricket. Their last victory in the format came in 2013 against Australia at the WACA, after which they endured a winless streak of 10 matches that included painful losses and hard-fought draws.
This victory was a collective team effort. Centuries from Maia Bouchier and Nat Sciver-Brunt helped England post a commanding first-innings total of 395 for 9 declared. With the ball, Lauren Bell emerged as the standout performer, claiming eight wickets across both innings and ensuring England maintained the upper hand.
South Africa’s spirited fightback, led by captain Laura Wolvaardt’s gritty 65 in the first innings, was neutralized by Bell’s incisive bowling. The hosts’ second innings saw them bowled out for just 65, their lowest-ever Test total, as England sealed an emphatic 286-run win. This triumph not only ended their decade-long wait for a Test victory but also signaled a rejuvenation of their Test cricket fortunes.
India’s Dominant Display: A Mammoth 603/6 Declared
In a one-off Test against South Africa at Chepauk, India showcased their dominance in the longest format with a record-breaking total of 603 for 6 declared, the highest-ever score in women’s Test cricket. The innings was built on the brilliance of Shafali Verma’s double century and Smriti Mandhana’s elegant 149.
Shafali, just 20 years old, produced a masterclass in aggressive batting, becoming the youngest and fastest batter to score a double century in women’s Tests. Her innings, featuring 23 fours and eight sixes, epitomized her fearless approach to the game. Mandhana, meanwhile, played a perfect foil, anchoring the innings with grace and precision.
India’s bowlers were equally impressive, and Sneh Rana led the pack with her 8 for 77 in South Africa’s first innings, bundling them out for 266 and enforcing a follow-on. Despite centuries from Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus in the second innings, South Africa could only manage 373, setting India a modest target of 37 runs, which they chased down comfortably in just 9.2 overs.
Sneh Rana’s Masterclass: A Historic 10-Wicket Haul
When India clashed with South Africa at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai, the spotlight was firmly on Sneh Rana, whose breathtaking performance with the ball became the cornerstone of India’s dominance in the match. The off-spinner became only the second Indian woman, and the first spinner, to achieve a 10-wicket haul in Test cricket, following in the footsteps of the legendary Jhulan Goswami, who accomplished the feat in 2006 against England.
Her remarkable figures of 8 for 77 left the South African batting lineup in tatters. She dismantled the Proteas’ resistance almost single-handedly, with her scalps including key players like Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp.
The second innings brought a different challenge, as South Africa’s batters showed immense resilience, led by centuries from Wolvaardt (122 off 314) and Sune Luus (109 off 203). However, Rana once again rose to the occasion, claiming two crucial wickets. Her ability to maintain composure under pressure and adapt to the situation proved invaluable as India bowled out South Africa for 373. Rana ended with match figures of 10 for 188.
Shafali Verma’s Double Century: Youthful Brilliance Redefined
At just 20 years old, Shafali Verma proved once again why she is considered one of the most exciting talents in world cricket. In the one-off Test against South Africa at Chepauk, the young opener scored a sensational double century.
Shafali reached her double century in just 194 balls, breaking the record for the fastest double ton in women’s Test cricket. The previous record-holder, Australia’s Annabel Sutherland, had taken 248 balls to reach the landmark, also against South Africa, earlier in the year. Shafali’s feat made her only the second Indian woman to score a double century in Test cricket, joining the illustrious company of Mithali Raj, who scored 214 against England in 2002.
The knock included 23 boundaries and eight towering sixes, with two of those maximums coming in succession of off-spinner Delmi Tucker to bring her within touching distance of the milestone. She followed up with a quick single to reach the historic mark, a moment that saw her teammates and the crowd erupt in applause. Shafali’s innings was the backbone of India’s record-breaking total of 603/6 declared.
The year 2024 will be remembered as a transformative period for women’s Test cricket. With records shattered, new benchmarks set, and thrilling matches played, it highlighted the immense talent and potential in the women’s game. From Nat Sciver-Brunt’s breathtaking century to Sneh Rana’s remarkable bowling, these moments exemplified the brilliance of the sport and left fans eagerly anticipating what lies ahead in the future of women’s Test cricket.
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