Caroline Atkins and Sarah Taylor set a new world record for a partnership in women's one day internationals (ODIs) as England inflicted another crushing 225-run defeat on South Africa at Lord's.
Atkins, daughter of the well known sporting family of Park Cameras owner Reg Atkins from Burgess Hill, added 268 with Taylor in a commanding display. Both registered centuries before a demoralised South Africa were rushed out for just 85.
Atkins and
Taylor put the visitors to the sword despite conditions that favoured the bowlers early on. Both went along at an almost identical pace, with Atkins the first to three figures off 117 balls and Taylor following shortly after off 118 deliveries.
For Atkins it was her maiden ODI century in her 33rd match, while for Taylor it was the second and lifted her average to more than 40.
Chances were few and far between for the South Africans but they did miss one opportunity to remove Taylor in the 21st over. The opening stand went past the previous record of 258, also an opening stand, set by Reshma Gandhi and Mithali Raj for India against Ireland back in 1999.
The fun was eventually ended when Atkins was bowled by Susan Benade but England powered on to reach 310-3.
South Africa never had a chances of reaching the target and collapsed against the bowling of Katherine Brunt, who claimed a career-best 5-25 and was on a hat-trick early in the innings.
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