Eng A build solid lead on Day Three

England A finished Day Three on 230/6 giving them a lead of 289 over England B with a day (potentially 100 overs) left to play in this game, although the weather still might have something to say about that.

Day Three had started wet and windy and no play was possible until 1.15pm with the close fixed at 6.15pm. Eng A started their second innings with Heather Knight (2) this time joined by Sophie Luff (52) at the top of the order. Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole took the new ball for Eng B, and Shrubsole made the early breakthough having Knight lbw in the second over. This brought Sarah Taylor to the crease and she immediately took the attack to the bowlers on this good wicket. She was ruthless on anything short and it was a surprise when, having moved onto 33, she was lbw to Beth Langstone with the score on 62.

England captain Charlotte Edwards (48) came in at 4, and she and Luff decided that careful accumulation was the way forward. They added 63 for the third wicket over 24 overs before Luff clipped Brunt to midwicket where Grundy took an easy catch.

Edwards was joined by Georgia Elwiss, who, after a nervy start, started to find her feet and the boundary. They had added 56 before Edwards (48) flicked Nat Sciver to the leg side, but off a leading edge, and she was caught on the short leg side boundary by Brunt.

Lauren Winfield (5), batting at 6, flashed at a short ball from Sciver and was caught behind and Dani Hazell (10) was lbw to Shrubsole late in the day. Georgia Elwiss remains 59* batting with Alex Macdonald 5*.

With the weather due to deteriorate late afternoon on Day Four, Charlotte Edwards may be tempted to declare overnight. But this is a good pitch and Eng B should be able to hold out for a draw if they bat sensibly.

MD
1/VI/15