Day 66: England show depth while South Africa prove they are a match for anyone

 I cannot think of the last time that Heather Knight missed an international match for England. I'm sure it wasn't that long ago, and I will find out for you. It shows how crucial she has been seen to the prospects of the team that she leads.

It is also a testament to her side that her team rallied and won with relative ease when a slight injury ruled her out. Natalie Sciver took the reigns, England stepped up their game, bowling out New Zealand for 96.

There weren't any real stand out performances with the bat, although Sophia Dunkley and Amy Jones steadied the ship that enabled Fran Wilson to score a rapid 31 not out.

The depth in England's batting is impressive; Freya Davies would be among the world's better number elevens.

Each of England's spinners in the final game of the tour will have legitimate aspirations to be considered all-rounders in the future. Sophie Ecclestone has continued to develop her skills with the bat and scored an impressive fifty in last years Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Trent Bridge. Sarah Glenn has opened the batting in county cricket and can move up the order for England.

They will all see just how Katherine Brunt continued to believe in her ability with the willow in hand.

What has not been forgotten is just how well they can perform with the ball, and Jones benefitted from three stumpings due to her bowlers' guile. Maddy Villiers with 3 for 10, Ecclestone 2 for 19 and Glenn 1 for 21 shows just how important it is to have a variation in your spinners.

South Africa got their tour of India off to the perfect start as they comfortably beat their hosts by eight wickets. India were indebted to Mithali Raj (50) and Harmanpreat Kaur (40) to post 177 for nine from their 50 overs.

Laura Wolvaardt (80) and Lizzelle Lee (83*) proved too good as South Africa coasted to the win with 59 balls remaining.

It was just under a year since India's women took part in the T20 World Cup Final. It has been a bizarre year for most of the world, even more for a team that came close to being the world champions.

There was genuine amazement at the squad selected for the series. It wasn't that some players had been dropped or new players brought in - although that played a part - there was no justification for the selections.

South Africa have played Pakistan in international fixtures, and with a good group of players, they have proven that any team shouldn't underestimate them.