The England women's cricket team today eased to a comprehensive seven-wicket win over the England women's academy at Kibworth Cricket Club, Leicester.
In the national side's first 50-over match of the season Kent duo, Charlotte Edwards (89) and Lydia Greenway (57), provided the stand out performance of the day with a match-winning partnership of 113.
Despite the efforts of Charlotte Russell, who picked up five boundaries on the way to top scoring for the academy (38), England women were always in control of a one-sided affair, today under the captaincy of Jenny Gunn.
Some steady contributions were made in the middle order through Jen Halstead (29) and Stephanie Davis (22). But England continued to dominate with wickets taken by Nicky Shaw (3-29), Gunn (3-43) and Holly Colvin (2-24) to restrict the Academy to 169 for 9.
As England looked to chase down the target, Isa Guha (2-35)-captain and in-form bowler for the Academy, picked up the early wickets of Heather Knight and Claire Taylor to hold England to 3-40.
But Guha could not dislodge Edwards or Greenway as they smeared shots around the ground. Edwards and Greenway piled on 26 boundaries with both still at the crease as they helped their team to a seven-wicket victory.
After the game Jenny Gunn said: ‘I enjoyed the game today, it was a good experience to captain England for the second time. Without some of our key players, others stepped up and bowled well. There are areas we need to work on, but it was good to get a 50-over game in the legs and a good win under our belts ahead of the summer series.'
Commenting on her performance with the bat, Charlotte Edwards said: ‘I was pleased to contribute and get a good score today. It was good preparation for the series against New Zealand.’
England will play a one day international match against Ireland women on Wednesday, July 8 at Kibworth Cricket Club, ahead of the NatWest Women’s ODI Series against New Zealand.
