Heather Knight said the decision not to introduce a Decision Review System was a sign of the status of women’s Test cricket after England’s convincing win over South Africa.
Knight captained England to their first Test win since 2014 as the tourists dismissed South Africa by just 64 runs on day three in Bloemfontein to secure a comprehensive 286-run victory.
The absence of DRS did not affect the result, with England finishing the Proteas’ second innings in 19.4 overs, but it played a part in the gulf between the two sides, with South Africa on the receiving end of a string of questionable decisions.
It called into question the South African Cricket Board’s decision not to spend $48,500 (£38,100) on adopting the technology, with Knight voicing her concerns.
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Lauren Bell and Tammy Beaumont send Annerie Dercksen off together after the break to check the third umpire for England v South Africa
“I was pretty shocked when I found out at the referee meeting the day before that we weren’t going to have it,” Knight said. “I think it’s a real shame.
“Now you expect that as a player, and I suppose the reason is always money. But, especially in Test cricket, where wickets are such a premium, it’s really important to have that.
“It’s probably a sign of the status of this game, maybe, that we didn’t have it, which is a little bit frustrating.”
The lack of DRS in this match was again the talk of the town when Annerie Dercksen (9) was caught at short leg by the third umpire despite the lack of UltraEdge technology to prove that she had hit Lauren Bell Tammy Beaumont’s ball.
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There is no DRS available for the women’s Test and that may have saved England’s Tammy Beaumont from being dismissed in the first over by South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp.
Dercksen’s controversial decision contributed to South Africa’s historic collapse as they slumped to their lowest ever score in a women’s Test match.
“We all thought she hit it and obviously the ref delayed the decision,” Knight added. “I think the review was about whether it was a hit ball, but it was pretty clear that it wasn’t, so I’m not really sure what happened there.”
South Africa head coach Mandla Mashimbyi expressed similar confusion about the process that led to Dercksen’s dismissal.
“There was no communication and I didn’t understand why,” he said. “It was quite bizarre. But the judges think they made the right decision and we can’t go against that.”
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Mlaba from South Africa did not put her bat down after Lauren Bell’s direct hit to seal England’s 286-run victory
Speaking after stumps on the second day, South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp said she prefers the use of DRS in short-form cricket over Tests.
“I don’t believe we’ve had that available (before) for T20s and ODI cricket,” Kapp said. “So it really helped in the ODI and T20 series.
“If I’m being completely honest, I probably prefer having it in those two formats.
“We’re probably disappointed that we were on the wrong side, but it goes both ways. Even in the ODIs, England reviewed one or two decisions that went in our favour.
“It’s just a game, it’s never easy for the referees out there, although you get a little upset when you don’t go your way.”
England in South Africa – full schedule
T20 series (England won 3-0)
ODI series (England won 2-1)
One time test
- Bloemfontein – England won by 286 runs
