England Women v West Indies Women, 1st ODI, Loughborough

Edwards stars in drizzly encounter

Jenny Roesler at Loughborough

July 11, 2008

England women 156 for 4 (Edwards 60*) v West Indies women
Scorecard

	Charlotte Edwards cuts during her elegant 60 © Getty Images

England's first match against West Indies in 15 years promised much but rain ended proceedings with the home side on 156 for 4, with Charlotte Edwards unbeaten on a classy 60.

West Indies' young attack acquitted themselves well, forcing England to stutter to 85 for 3 with tight, probing lines, backed up by good fielding and, most importantly, a strong team spirit that belied the fact that most of the side had made their international debuts this tour. Then again, they had won every single match against Ireland and Netherlands, their experience and confidence growing with every outing, led by the old campaigner Nadine George.

The stand-out dismissals were two run-outs from Deandra Dottin's powerful arm, removing Claire Taylor with a direct hit from cover - but not before the experienced batsman had brought up 3000 ODI runs - and then Lydia Greenway with a throw to the striker's end after Edwards cut into the covers. Dottin had also bowled Sarah Taylor off the pads, the ball somehow squeezing through bat and pad before trickling on to the stumps, while Caroline Atkins was caught off a top-edge at midwicket, both having reached their twenties.

But Edwards had all the shots on a good deck, her boundaries coming either straight or square, and she eased to her fifty with a superb straight drive back past the offspinner Afy Fletcher. She was looking fully composed and calm until rain brought an early lunch, and ultimately the end of the match, much to the chagrin of the small but enthusiastic Loughborough crowd.

The sides return on Saturday for the second and final match of this short series.

Jenny Roesler is an assistant editor at Cricinfo

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Matches

England Women v West Indies Women at Loughborough

Players/Umpires

Charlotte Edwards

Nadine George

Series/Tournaments

West Indies Women tour of England

Teams

England

West Indies