Kent’s Lydia Greenway top scored as England thrashed South Africa in the One Day International today.

Greenway 125* and Arran Brindle 107* posted the second highest 4th wicket partnership in women’s ODI cricket, as England dominated South Africa in the first One Day International of the series, in Potchefstroom.

After losing the early wicket of Charlotte Edwards on her 150th ODI appearance, Danielle Wyatt and Sarah Taylor got things back on track for England.

Greenway joined Taylor in the middle after Wyatt was caught behind in the eighth over and the pair went on to build an innings, until Taylor was run out for 37 in the 18th over.

Greenway and Brindle then put on a spectacular performance, both setting highest scores and hitting maiden ODI centuries.

The pair put on 218* off 192 balls and found the boundary on 27 occasions as England posted 297 runs from their 50 overs.

England took momentum into the field with Isa Guha claiming an early wicket as Shandre Fritz hit straight to Greenway at point.

Trisha Chetty and Alison Hodgkinson stood firm for South Africa for 28 overs until Laura Marsh broke through trapping Chetty leg before wicket. This proved the key wicket as the England spinners took hold of the game and South Africa suffered a collapse.

Marsh, Danielle Hazell and Danielle Wyatt shared the wickets together with run-outs from the field and Jenny Gunn finished things off with a straight forward caught and bowled.

South Africa were bowled out for 235 and England claimed a 62 run victory with three overs to spare.

Lydia Greenway said: “We did quite a lot of running out there but it was great to come away with a win from out first game.

“It’s taken quite a long time to get my ODI century so it’s really nice to finally get it.

“South Africa played well today and we know we need to keep playing well to win again on Sunday.”

Arran Brindle said: “It was really nice to get out in the middle and get some runs under my belt.

“It’s a great feeling scoring a hundred at any time, but to do it in an international and the first game of the tour is fantastic.

“It’s going to be a competitive series, we want to hit our straps every time we go out there and make sure we achieve our aim of winning this series.”

 

England women will play the second ODI against South Africa on Sunday 23rd October.

 

Match schedule

England Women v South Africa women

All matches at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom

Sun 23rd October 2nd ODI

Tue 25th October 3rd ODI

Thu 27th October 1st T20

Sat 29th October 2nd T20

Sun 30th October 3rd T20