Academy bowled over

England's Lydia Greenway top-scored with an unbeaten 42. © Getty Images

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England Women had their bowlers to thank after they beat England Academy by 32 runs on Sunday.

The game, played at Taunton, was the second part of a Twenty 20 double-header following Somerset's clash with Worcestershire and spectators staying behind to watch the women's game would have seen England star Sarah Taylor bowled for a second ball duck by Anya Shrubsole.

But the Academy could not capitalise on their early breakthrough as England steadily built up a total.

Claire Taylor fired a rapid 40 while Lydia Greenway was less expansive in her unbeaten 42, a knock which held the innings together.

England eventually finished on 131 for eight, a total which might have been more had it not been for Georgia Elwiss' excellent figures of 3-21 from four overs.

Four of the Academy batters got starts but none of them could keep up with the run-rate required to pull off an upset.

Jenny Halstead, Salliann Briggs and Rosalie Birch all made double figures but they, along with Laura Joyce who top-scored with 27, failed to score quick enough against a disciplined England attack.

Katherine Brunt, Nicky Shaw, Isa Guha, Marsh and Jenny Gunn all finished with a wicket apiece as their accurate bowling kept the Academy in check.

The game acted as a warm-up for England Women who face a busy summer ahead, starting with a Twenty20 International with the West Indies on July 11.

Sterner tests await, however, with the arrival of South Africa and India.

Click here (3 KB) to read a scorecard from the game.