Taylor hundred puts England within sight of victory

Day 2 Close South Africa Women 130 and 67 for 3 trail England Women 455 (Taylor 131, Greenway 66, Birch 62) by 248 runs
Scorecard

Claire Taylor: back-to-back hundreds © Getty Images

England's women were on the verge of a series-clinching innings victory at Taunton, as South Africa struggled to 67 for 3 at the close of the second day of the second Test, still trailing by 258 runs. England's innings was based around a superb 131 from Claire Taylor, her third Test century in eight matches. It is eight years - and 13 matches - since England last won a Test, something they should put right sometime tomorrow.

Taylor, 78 not out overnight, was joined by Lydia Greenway (66) in a 164-run partnership for the fourth wicket, and the tail all made big contributions in a hefty total of 455, England's second-highest Test score. Taylor, who became only the third Englishwoman to score back-to-back Test hundreds, had some help from the South Africans who dropped her three times.

England's bowlers were once again right on the money in their second innings, as South Africa crept along at barely two runs per over. Although the pitch remained fairly easy, South Africa looked to have lost the appetite to battle, losing three wickets in the final session.