Kapp celebrates historic Test century

Proteas all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has reflected on her impressive performance with the bat on day one of their Test against England.

Kapp steadied South Africa's innings on the brink of collapse when she came in with the score at 45/4 after the top order had struggled to deal with the English attack at County Ground in Taunton on Monday.

The 32-year-old, who became the first South African to bag a hat-trick in Twenty20 International Cricket against Bangladesh back in 2013, then went on to smash 150 runs from 213 balls to help guide the Proteas to a respectable 284 from the first innings.

She has described her knock as one of the highlights of her career, having recorded the highest Test score by a SA female batter and becoming only the second SA batter to score an ODI and Test century, after Mignon du Preez.

"Usually I aim for the fifties considering the format we usually play, but to come out here and make 150, it's pretty special," Kapp told reporters on Monday.

"It's a massive highlight in my cricketing career... It's definitely right up there. It was a special moment today, I still have to reflect on it."

After missing out on the tour of Ireland earlier this month, Kapp says a rise in confidence can be credited for her impressive display with the bat on Monday.

"Not too much has changed, I've always enjoyed my batting, but I feel at times, it's difficult to focus on both, so one always takes preference," she explained.

"I've worked with some special coaches that have helped me but I think it's the confidence that's growing and [that is] why I'm starting to play a lot better.

"I've just been blessed, Jesus has been so good to me and I don't know why but I've been working on small things."

Day 2 is set to resume on Tuesday at 12h00 (SA time).

By Web Admin