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An Emma Lamb century helped England’s women to a win in their first ODI against the Momentum Proteas in Northampton this evening.
Coming off the back of a drawn test in Taunton, the two sides met for the second part of their multi-format series with the first of three ODIs next on the agenda.
South Africa won the toss with Sune Luus opting to bat first. Andrie Steyn was dismissed early for the visitors through the bowling of Katherine Brunt, with Lara Goodall suffering the same fate two overs later.
Luus and Marizanne Kapp went back to the pavilion without adding too much to the total as well, as Natalie Sciver got her eye in with the ball, leaving the Proteas 73/4 halfway through their innings.
Chloe Tyron salvaged things for the Proteas with a brilliant knock of 88 off 73 balls, hitting 10 fours and three sixes in the process.
Tyron’s innings helped the side to a more presentable total of 218 before they were bowled out inside 48 overs.
After an early wicket saw Tammy Beaumont depart for just one run, the hosts made easy work of the target.
Lamb, playing in just her third ODI, led from the front — batting through 30 of the 32 overs it took England to chase down the 219 runs they had required.
The 24-year-old cut, drove and pulled to put almost everything away — getting to a well-deserved century that featured 15 fours at a strike rate of 105.
Sciver joined her at the crease during the middle overs to add to her good bowling display with the bat. The all-rounder hit 55 off 36 balls before Heather Knight (20) and Danielle Wyatt (14) arrived to put the icing on the cake of a fine five wicket win.
The two sides will next collide on Friday afternoon with South Africa looking to level the series ahead of the final ODI on Monday.
Image source: @ESPNCricinfo
