England restricted Australia to their lowest ever score in one-day internationals between the two as they romped to a nine-wicket win in the first NatWest Women's Series match at Chelmsford.
Nicky Shaw, replacing an ill Charlotte Edwards at the helm, saw her attack dismiss the tourists for 133 in 49.4 overs, below their previous low mark of 152 in 1988 in Richmond, Australia.
A final wicket partnership between Sarah Andrews (16) and Rene Farrell (39 not out) of 40 helped them past the 100 mark; but with Sarah Taylor making 68 and Caroline Atkins 48 not out, England eased to victory in just 27.1 overs.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia lost opener Shelley Nitschke for a duck, beautifully bowled by Katherine Brunt and caught by Caroline Atkins. And Brunt struck again to see off Lisa Sthalekar with only four runs on the board, caught behind by Player of the Match Sarah Taylor.
Next up was Karen Rolton, but she too took her seat early, caught by the agile Taylor off Isa Guha, and Australia were nine for three.
Captain Jodie Fields and Leah Poulton managed to move the total to 23, but Fields was trapped leg before by Shaw. Poulton was next to go for eight, and Ellyse Perry was stumped by Sarah Taylor off a Holly Colvin delivery to make it 42 for six..
Alexandra Blackwell faced 35 balls and managed seven before being caught by Ebony Rainford-Brent, again off Colvin, who finished with 3-27.
Lauren Ebsary hit four boundaries to revive her side, but the dependable Lydia Greenway caught her to give Laura Marsh her first wicket. And when Erin Osborne was run out the Australians were 97 for nine in 35.4 overs.
England opener Taylor reached her seventh career 50 inside 18 overs, her partnership with Atkins proving a success with the duo hitting 11 fours before Taylor was caught by Fields.
Claire Taylor (eight not out) joined Atkins to see the World Champions over the line at 134 for one..
A disappointed Fields said after the match: “We played some poor shots but the Australian attitude is to never give up. I wanted everyone to give 100 per cent after the break and they did that.”
Player of the match Sarah Taylor heaped the praise on England’s attack: “All credit to the bowlers today. They put the ball in the right places and made my job easy.”
England women lead the five-match series 1-0, with the second game tomorrow at Chelmsford, televised live on Sky Sports. The final three matches will be played at Stratford CC, Wormsley CC and Lord’s.
The four-day npower Women’s Ashes Test match will be played at New Road, Worcester from July 10 concludes the international summer for England women.
