Rain washes out England women's Test hopes

England's hopes of securing a first home women's Test victory since 2005 were dashed when rain brought a premature end to the one-off Test against South Africa at Taunton.

Two heavy showers limited play to 43 overs on the fourth and final day, leaving South Africa 5-181 in their second innings, 48 runs ahead of England.

The tourists had resumed at 3-55 and lost Sune Luus and Lizelle Lee while still in arrears. 

Kate Cross trapped Luus lbw for 10 while Lee, dropped off Izzy Wong on 13, was well caught by Cross after miscuing an attempted drive off spinner Sophie Ecclestone for 36.

They were then frustrated first by nightwatcher Tumi Sekhukhune, who faced 134 balls for her 33 not out, then by the rain.

At the other end Marizanne Kapp added an unbeaten 43 to the 150 she scored in South Africa's first innings.

England allrounder Nat Sciver, who won player-of-the-match for her 169 not out, said it was "a difficult four days but I'm really happy to contribute like that to our team.

"It's promising and exciting to see the debuts in our team."

South Africa captain Luus added: "It was lots of fun, Test cricket is obviously something new for most of us but something we want to do more of in future."

Each team took two points in the multi-format series, which now moves on to three one-day internationals, starting at Northampton on July 11.

The result leaves England without a Test victory since winning in Australia in 2014. Their last success at home was 17 years ago.

The rain-affected match again raised the issue of five-day women's Test cricket, with no Test producing a positive result for seven years.

England's next Test is expected to be in next summer's home Ashes series.