ENGLAND showed why they were the team to beat, following up their World Cup win in the 50-over format earlier in the year with a thumping ten-wicket win over India in Taunton.

England gave a fitting reply to India’s lack-lustre batting display with their openers Sarah Taylor and Charlotte Edwards scoring half-centuries to make a mockery of a target of 113. Both scored at a fair clip, smashing 13 fours and two sixes between them to breeze home with more than four overs to spare.

India’s decision to bat backfired, as only three of their batsmen managed to reach double figures amid some miserly England bowling. Mithali Raj top-scored with 29, but the only encouraging phase for India was her 22-run stand with opener Anjum Chopra for the second wicket.

The stars for England with the ball were left-arm spinner Holly Colvin (3-20) and Nicky Shaw (2-28), who ensured their team remained in control, keeping India in check with wickets at frequent intervals.

A 35-run sixth-wicket stand between Raj and wicketkeeper Sulakshana Naik lent some respectability to the Indian innings, but by then the advantage had been ceded. (Cricinfo)