London: In-form batswoman Claire Taylor struck a fine 68-ball 56 as England women stretched their unbeaten run this summer with a seven-wicket victory in the fourth one-dayer against India at Arundel.

England eves limited their Indian counterparts to 90/7 in a rain-curtailed 23-over-a-side game, thanks largely to a teasing spell from spinner Holly Colvin (3/17). Sulakshana Naik top-scored for India with a steady 28. Skipper Mithali (10), who is in good nick, failed to repeat her heroics after being undone by a flighted one from Colvin.

In reply England eves though lost both the openers cheaply but the seasoned Claire Taylor dug in and played a responsable knock to ensure her side keep undefeated streak intact. She forged a crucial 46-run stand with skipper Charlotte Edwards (17) and shared an undefeated 33-run stand with Lydia Greenway to help her side home.

Captain Charlotte Edwards chose to field first in the rain-reduced tie and it proved an inspired decision, with India only managing 90 for seven in their allotted 23 overs.

Earlier England eves skipper Edwards opted to bowl first on a wicket laden with good amount of moisture. And it turned to be a prudent one as India despite a good start struggled to find bat on ball.

Sulakshana Naik 28 and Jaya Sharma put on a brisk 27 runs for the first wicket before the later was snared by Isa Guha. From then on it was downhill all the way for India, with Holly Colvin picking up 3/17 from her five overs.

Three run-outs also did not help India's cause, and England were odds-on favourites to wrap up another victory this summer.

It took 22.1 overs for them to reach their target, after the early loss of both openers, Sarah Taylor and Caroline Atkins.

Jhulan Goswami was the pick of the India bowlers, with 1/8 from her five overs, taking the wicket of Taylor leg before wicket for a duck in the opening over.

But Claire Taylor continued her one-woman crusade, hitting an unbeaten 56 from 68 balls, sharing a 46-run partnership with Edwards, who made 17 before falling lbw to Gouher Sultana.

Taylor and Lydia Greenway (12 not out) saw England home.

England lead five-match series 4-0. Both the teams will head to Hove for the fifth and final ODI at Hove on Tuesday.

Breif Scores:

India eves 90/7 in 23 overs (Sulakshana Naik 28, Jaya Sharma 13; Holly Colvin 3/17, Isa Guha 1/20) lost to England eves 93/3 in 22.1 overs (Claire Taylor 56 n o, Edwards 17; Jhulan Goswami 1/8, Sunitha Paranjpe 1/17).

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Tags: womens cricket, india eves, england, odi series, arundale, claire taylor, goswami, sulakshana naik.