England women extend run

Isa Guha is delighted at picking up her third wicket

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England women cruised to an eight-wicket victory over their India counterparts as they dominated with both bat and ball in the first NatWest Series one-day international at Bath.

Caroline Atkins made 45 and Claire Taylor, returning to the side after illness, ended unbeaten on 40 as they ensured the win was secured inside 36 overs.

Jenny Gunn and Isa Guha had earlier set up the victory as they produced a disciplined bowling performance to restrict India to just 124.

England, who have yet to lose a game in a magnificent summer thus far, having beaten the West Indies and South Africa, were indebted to Gunn and Guha's pace bowling as they snaffled three wickets apiece.

Holly Colvin and Katherine Brunt also chipped in with two wickets each as Charlotte Edwards' side, who conceded 21 extras in 43.4 overs, strangled a strong-looking Indian outfit.

Having won the toss and opted to bat, India were immediately in trouble when Jaya Sharma departed lbw third ball to Guha without scoring, with incoming batsman Asha Rawat also falling for a golden duck in similar fashion.

Guha’s burst left India four for two and they failed to wrestle back the initiative, with opener Sulakshana Naik falling to Brunt for just five two runs later.

Amita Sharma and Mithali Raj attempted to rebuild from the ruins of the Indian innings, however the latter became Guha’s third scalp when she fell for 38.

Hemlata Kala (10) was Gunn’s first victim when she was adjudged lbw, with Raj falling just a run later for 44 - also lbw - to hand Colvin her first wicket.

Priyanka Roy departed lbw almost immediately to Gunn, having failed to score, with Niranjana Nagarajan also falling leg before to give Colvin her final victim.

Brunt and Gunn then quickly polished off the tail inside 44 overs to leave India with a well below-par total.

In response, England lost the wickets of Sarah Taylor, who was caught by Roy off Nagarajan for 16, and Atkins who was run-out shortly before the end..

Captain Edwards was left 14 not out as her team kept hopes alive of extending their unbeaten run throughout the summer.