T20 international: Taylor immaculate to clinch victory in series decider
South Africa Women 131-4 England Women 133-6 England win by 4 wickets
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Your support makes all the difference.Sarah Taylor appears to have picked up a thing or two when she became the first woman to play grade cricket in Australia earlier this winter after England’s best player returned Bradmanesque numbers in this victorious T20 series against South Africa.
Taylor’s 60 from 40 balls, her third half-century in succession, helped Charlotte Edwards’ side chase down their target of 132 with 4.3 overs to spare at The Wanderers yesterday to win this series 2-1.
The result will be a boost to England ahead of the forthcoming World Twenty20 in India after they stumbled to their first defeat against South Africa in this format in Cape Town on Friday.
Yet it is Taylor’s statistics that will catch the eye of the other teams, particularly the favourites, Australia, as she finished this series with 200 runs at an average of 100.
The 26-year-old made history last October when turning out for Northern Districts in Adelaide, the city where Bradman spent the bulk of his playing career with South Australia and where he died in 2001 with the immortal Test average of 99.94.
Taylor’s scores in this series – 74 not out, 66 and 60 – bear no comparison to the achievements of The Don. However, England know they have a very special talent who is likely to move the women’s game forward in years to come.
It was not all positive for Edwards and her team, though. After a smart stumping by Taylor – who else? – to dismiss Trisha Chetty, South Africa were reduced to 6 for 3 in the second over. But an impressive 69 not out from 61 balls by Lizelle Lee revived the home side’s hopes. Lee was dropped in the deep by Heather Knight shortly before reaching 50 and that was indicative of a sloppy display in the field by England as South Africa finished their innings on 131 for 4.
Taylor, though, came to the crease following the loss of Amy Jones for 14 in the first over and her innings, including 10 fours, ensured England coasted to a series-winning victory in 15.3 overs.
Edwards said: “I am really pleased. South Africa pushed us hard but our batters were outstanding – although our bowling and fielding hasn’t been good enough as a collective in this series.”
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