Charlotte Edwards leads England Women to six-wicket victory over Pakistan Women

Kent's Charlotte Edwards led England Women to an emphatic six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second NatWest Women's ODI at Loughborough University today.

Natalie Sciver claimed three wickets in just her second One-Day International for England Women. The 20-year-old took her first wicket in England colours on her international debut on Monday, and the Surrey seamer returned 3-28 today to spearhead an attack which reduced the tourists, who won the toss and elected to bat, to 156 for six from their 50 overs.

Scriver’s trio of victims all fell within the space of six runs while Arran Brindle accounted for the other three wickets; finishing with 3-38 before turning her focus to batting as she opened with Charlotte Edwards.

The opening duo made excellent progress before Brindle eventually departed when she was stumped off Nida Dar with the total on 72. Edwards top scored and recorded her fortieth ODI half-century prior to perishing on 62 as Dar struck for the second time.

Lydia Greenway was then out for four and Sarah Taylor added 34 from 38 deliveries before Heather Knight and Lauren Winfield clinched victory with 72 balls to spare.

Player of the match Natalie Sciver said: “It was really good to contribute to a team win today and another good team performance all-round.

“We were happy to bowl first as we thought it might do a bit in the morning here. For me personally it was great to get the ball in my hand and felt a little bit like a home game with me studying at Loughborough University.

“Arran and Charlotte played with good intent and we were confident we could chase down the target. I was really pleased for Lauren as well today, tocontribute with runs after making her debut on Monday. We’re all now looking forward to the Twenty20 matches on Friday.”

England will play Pakistan in two NatWest Women’s International T20 matches on the Haslegrave ground at Loughborough University on Friday.

Video highlights and a scorecard from today’s game are available at www.ecb.co.uk/women along with all fixtures and results for England Women.

Photo: Jan Kruger / Getty Images