England Women Maintain Winning Run

England Women Maintain Winning Run

Sarah Taylor hit a swift half-century to set up England's victory in Potchefstroom

©Action Images / Carl Recine

England Women 131-3 (Taylor 50, Edwards 49) beat
South Africa Women 128-6 (Hodgkinson 51) by 7 wickets
First Twenty20 International, Potchefstroom
Scorecard

England Women made it four wins out of four since arriving in South Africa with a seven-wicket victory in the first Twenty20 International in Potchefstroom.

Despite Alison Hodgkinson hitting 51 as the hosts scored 128 for six, England reached their target with something to spare, a half-century from Sarah Taylor setting them on course to clinch the win with 17 balls remaining.

Taylor hit nine fours in a 33-ball innings of 50 that ended South Africa's chances, which had been increased when they removed Charlotte Edwards (49) and Laura Marsh without scoring.

Edwards faced 46 balls, getting the innings off to a fine start before she was run out by Charlize van der Westhuizen.

Taylor was caught by Chloe Tryon off Sunett Loubser before Lydia Greenway, on 14, and Arran Brindle, on eight, carried England over the finish line off the first ball of the 18th over.

Hodgkinson had earlier impressed by hitting 51 in 37 balls with seven fours and one six while fellow debutante van der Westhuizen played her part with 31 in 18 deliveries, hitting two fours and two sixes.

England kept the home side in check, however, with Isa Guha taking two wickets, Brindle and Danielle Hazaell one apiece and running out Dane van Niekerk (11) and Hodgkinson.

England won the three-match One-day International series between the two sides 3-0 and the second game is on 29th October.

© Cricket World 2011