Taylor fifty takes England to easy win

England Women 131 for 3 (Taylor 50, Edwards 49) beat South Africa 128 for 6 (Hodgkinson 51) by seven wickets
Scorecard

England's women continued their dominance over South Africa, winning the opening Twenty20 in Potchefstroom easily after having sealed the ODI series 3-0. Sarah Taylor and captain Charlotte Edwards shared an aggressive 96-run second-wicket partnership that ensured England chased South Africa's 128 with time to spare.

After reaching a middling total, South Africa struck in the first over of the chase. But it was a false dawn, as Taylor and Edwards took the game away from them. Taylor was the aggressor, smashing nine fours in her 50 off 33 balls. Edwards hit five boundaries and a six herself, on the way to 49. Both were dismissed in quick succession but by then England were well ahead of the asking-rate, and cruised home.

South Africa had stuttered early in their innings, after electing to bat, and were reduced to 49 for 3. The run-rate stayed at around five an over till the 15th before Alison Hodgkinson launched a late onslaught. Hodgkinson hit seven fours and a six in her 51 and got South Africa to a competitive total but England made light work of it.

Taylor was awarded the Player-of-the-Match award but said it was the bowlers who had won the game for England. "There was some great boundary-hitting from both teams today. Even the good balls went for four," she said. "I feel in good nick and it was good to bat with Charlotte but the bowlers did the work for us today by restricting South Africa.

"It's a nice wicket and if you get your hands through the ball it just goes flying to the boundary; it's such a quick outfield."

The second Twenty20 is on October 29 in Potchefstroom.