Sarah Taylor reaches 4,000 ODI runs in big England win

Sussex Women star Sarah Taylor reached 4,000 ODI runs on Thursday as England secured a 3-0 series win over the West Indies. 

The commanding 135-run victory was England's 13th consecutive win in all competitions, and was set up by openers Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont after the West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl first. 

Jones, who was celebrating her 26th birthday, and Beaumont, put on 84 for the first wicket, before the latter was dismissed by Afy Fletcher just four runs short of her half-century. 

Warwickshire's Jones didn't slow down, however, and when Taylor joined her at the crease, the pair continued to score quickly and put together a partnership of 87 for the second wicket. 

Jones was eventually caught in the deep by Britney Cooper for a brilliant 80, but Taylor kept the run-rate high, scoring 70 off just 61 balls to take England past the 200 mark and her own personal tally past 4,000 runs in ODI cricket. 

Four boundaries as @Sarah_Taylor30 raced to fifty, including a reverse sweep which nearly went for six... 😲pic.twitter.com/3BrZtgWr5x

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) June 13, 2019

Taylor, looking to accelerate further, was caught by Shamilia Connell off the bowling of Hayley Matthews, and the same fielder dismissed Taylor's Sussex teammate, Danni Wyatt, for 12. 

Some ferocious hitting by captain Heather Knight (40* off 19 balls) late on then took England's total to 258/4 from the rain-adjusted 39 overs. 

Set 267 to win from 39 overs, the West Indies innings started in jaw-dropping fashion. Hayley Matthews hit a huge six over long-on in the second over but then fell to a stunning diving catch by Fran Wilson at cover the very next ball.

Debutant Bryony Smith picked up her first international wicket when Taylor caught Natasha McLean behind, and finished with 1/20 from eight overs as the visitors’ chase failed to gain momentum.

The victory moves England a step closer to qualification to the 2021 ICC Women’s World Cup, and to the top of the ICC Women’s Championship with 24 points.

After the game, captain Heather Knight said: "We're really pleased to have won 3-0 and to have been ruthless throughout the series. It's important that we set our own standards and maintain them regardless of who we're playing and we've done a lot of things very well across these games.

"There's always room for improvement but Amy's been fantastic at the top of the order - as has Tammy - and it was great to see Sarah showing what a good player she is today.

"It's 13 wins in a row now, which is great, and it obviously moves us a step closer to New Zealand in 2021. We just want everyone to keep working hard and to keep pushing to get better every game."

If you want to watch England in action, Heather Knight's side visit The 1st Central Ground in July to take on Australia, and tickets are still available!