England women warmed up for their one-day international series with a crushing 145-run victory over a South African Emerging XI in Mark Robinson’s first game as Head Coach.
Lauren Winfield, Lydia Greenway and Jenny Gunn all struck half-centuries as the tourists racked up 337 for eight after Charlotte Edwards had opted to make first use in Pretoria.
Katherine Brunt then took three early wickets as the South Africans were reduced to 26 for six and, after a helping hand from England’s Danielle Wyatt and Tammy Beaumont, they were eventually dismissed for 192.
Edwards may have won the toss but she initially struggled to make good on her decision to bat, playing on for a second-ball duck.
Bish, bash, BOSH! She smashed 81 off 50 today! @Lozwinfield take a bow! #LozBosh #EngWomen https://t.co/Xh0j9Mk8VG
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 2, 2016
However, Sarah Taylor joined Winfield, a late replacement for injured opener Amy Jones, at the crease and the second-wicket pair got their side back on track by adding 50 runs from just 38 balls.
Winfield required just 36 deliveries to reach her half-century and, having seen Taylor bowled playing across the line for 35, the Yorkshirewoman then holed out to deep midwicket with 81 of England’s 137.
Vice-captain Heather Knight compiled 45 during fifty stands with firstly Winfield and then Greenway, who provided several of her trademark sweeps during her innings of 50.
Although Georgia Elwiss missed out, making just seven, Gunn and Brunt enjoyed themselves with a 53-ball 50-run alliance.
6 have fallen in quick succession. Here are a couple from @Kbrunt26 & @Anya_shrubsole #EngWomen https://t.co/KMeDZump2W
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 2, 2016
Gunn continued her excellent form from the mini tour of Sri Lanka before Christmas, finding the boundary 10 times during her hard-hitting 62 off 53 deliveries, while Brunt contributed 30.
Brunt then took three early wickets while Anya Shrunsole, who was returning from illness, Kate Cross, and Rebecca Grundy also struck to leave the hosts 66 for seven.
That was when Wyatt was drafted into bat to prolong the match and she staked a claim for a starting spot in Robinson’s XI with a brutal innings.
Fresh from the Women’s Big Bash League, Wyatt crashed 60 off just 42 deliveries from number nine.
Beaumont, coming in an number 11, also struck the ball well while Brunt finished with excellent figures of 4-25.
WICKET! @Danni_Wyatt goes for a superb 60 off just 42 balls #EngWomen team mate @Tammy_Beaumont the new batsman pic.twitter.com/lmzZeaa5qy
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 2, 2016
Source: ECB