Heather Knight says Bristol game was ‘brilliant advert’ for women’s Test cricket

Heather Knight hailed a “brilliant” advert for Women’s Test cricket after India’s tremendous ninth-wicket partnership scuppered England’s chances of winning the standalone Test match at Bristol.
Sneh Rana and Taniya Bhatia’s 104-run stand secured the draw for the visitors and brought an end to England’s hopes of a first Test victory on home soil since 2005.
The players shook hands on the draw with 12 overs remaining in the day, with India 344 for eight in their second innings and leading by 179 runs.
Both sides took two points each from the game, with two points available from each of the following one-day internationals and T20 matches.
Across the four days, which many would argue was not enough once the rain delay had caused an impact on day three, it raised the question as to why there are so few women’s red ball games.
“I think it’s been a brilliant advert,” Knight said after the game’s conclusion.
“It’s almost a shame it (day four) fizzled out a little bit, it was set up to be very good and very exciting, but I think it’s been a brilliant advert.
“We’ve had some great skill on show, some very exciting youngsters come in from both sides and play outstandingly, Sophie Ecclestone, Shafali Verma, and Sophia Dunkley on debut.
“It’s really exciting to see that and I think it’s been a great advert and shows that women’s Test cricket has a place in the game.”

This summer is women’s cricket’s busiest. The Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy has been at the forefront so far this summer, with a domestic T20 competition also due to start and The Hundred later in the summer.
England also have the rest of their series against India and a white-ball series against New Zealand later in the summer, with Knight stressing the importance of the shorter matches ahead of next year’s World Cup.
“I think we’ve got a really important ODI and T20 series. With the schedule that we’ve got coming up next year that’s going really important for us. Particularly the 50-over stuff to get in a place for that World Cup.
“I’d always love to play more Test cricket, I think everyone knows that, but that’s the schedule we’ve got and we’ll prepare well for that ODI series.”
Latest
-
News
Jos Buttler admits he needs to find his rhythm as England lose to South Africa
The hosts won the second ODI by five wickets to clinch the series in Bloemfontein.
-
News
Temba Bavuma hits hundred as South Africa secure ODI series win over England
The Proteas chased down 343 at Bloemfontein to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.
-
News
Jos Buttler and Harry Brook give England hope of levelling ODI series
England reached 342 for seven against South Africa, with Buttler making 94 and Brook 80.
-
News
Jason Roy was never ready to ‘roll over’ despite year of setbacks and low points
Roy has for so long been England’s pacesetter at the top of the order but lost his place in the side.
-
News
England batter Jason Roy emotional after return to form in South Africa defeat
Roy’s slump with the bat led to him being dropped ahead of England’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign last year.
-
England
Jofra Archer will ‘get better and better’ but England batting needs more bite
Archer took one for 81 on a hot and sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein.
-
England
England beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century
Roy scored 113 off just 91 balls but South Africa ran out winners by 27 runs.
-
Women's Cricket
England reach Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup final after winning thriller
With Australia 96 for nine chasing 100, the England captain trapped Maggie Clark lbw to send her side through to face India in the final.
-
England
Jofra Archer toils for little reward as South Africa set England 299 to win ODI
Archer believes he is at about “80 per cent” fitness so some rust was inevitable.
-
Women's Cricket
Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa to have all-female match officials
Three match referees and 10 umpires will form the 13-strong team.