England Wrap Up 3-0 Series Win With 43-Run Victory

Third Twenty20 International, Northampton: England Women (123-4) beat South Africa Women (80-9) by 43 runs

England Women outclassed South Africa Women for the third time in two days to take their Twenty20 International series
3-0 with a 43-run win at Northampton.

Charlotte Edwards top scored with 33 as England posted 123 for five before South Africa could only manage 80 for nine.

After Ebony Rainford-Brent picked up her third duck of the series, England regrouped with Sarah Taylor (31) keeping the innings moving despite the loss of Nicola Shaw for eight and Lydia Greenway for 18. Beth Morgan (22) combined with Edwards to add 49 for the fifth wicket with Edwards unbeaten on 33 alongside Laura Marsh on three at the halfway stage.

Charlotte Edwards (left) and Katherine Brunt jump for joy. © Action Images / Paul Harding Livepic

123 proved to be more than enough as only three South African players reached double figures, with Ashlyn Kilowan making 22 from number nine after Alicia Smith (13) and Shandre Fritz (ten) had made starts early on.

Debutante Anya Shrubsole made the early inroads for England to finish with three for 19 from her four overs while Marsh capped a fine all-round display with two for seven from three overs.

England Women won the opening two matches by 54 and 37 runs respectively and will now face a sterner test with the arrival of India for five One Day Internationals, the first of which takes place in Bath on August 30th as well as one Twenty20 International.

© Cricket World 2008