England women impress again

7 September 2008 | By Catherine Goble

Claire Taylor, who helped England to victory with 56 not out, reaches her fifty

England women ensured their unbeaten run this summer continued with a seven-wicket victory over India in the fourth NatWest Series one-day international at Arundel.

Captain Charlotte Edwards chose to field first in the rain-reduced contest and it proved an inspired decision, with India only managing 90 for seven in their allotted 23 overs.

Sulakshana Naik top-scored for the visitors with 28 as she and Jaya Sharma put on 27 for the first wicket.

But after that it was downhill all the way for India, with Holly Colvin picking up 3-17 from five overs.

Three run-outs also did not help India's cause, and England were odds-on favourites to wrap up another victory this summer.

It took 22.1 overs for them to reach their target, after the early loss of both openers, Sarah Taylor and Caroline Atkins.

Jhulan Goswami was the pick of the India bowlers, with 1-8 from five overs, trapping Taylor leg before for a duck in the opening over.

But Claire Taylor continued her one-woman crusade, hitting an unbeaten 56 from 68 balls, as she shared a 46-run partnership with Edwards, who made 17 before falling lbw to Gouher Sultana.

Taylor and Lydia Greenway (12 not out) saw England home with five balls remaining, as they aim for a clean sweep over their visitors at Hove on Tuesday.

Play had got under way at 3.45pm after more inclement weather had delayed the start.

England have already secured the five-match series with an eight-wicket win at Taunton on Thursday.

Heavy rain had washed out the Twenty20 international between the sides, also at Taunton, on Friday.