Marsh impresses as England beat Ireland

England 274 for 7 (Edwards 72, Marsh 67) beat Ireland 127 by 147 runs
Scorecard

England's extra class was too much for Ireland as they eased to a 147-run victory at Kibworth. Laura Marsh's career-best 67 backed up Charlotte Edwards' 72 as England piled on 274 for 7 before the visitors crumbled in the chase with the wickets shared around to lift confidence ahead of the one-day series against New Zealand.

The efforts of Edwards and Marsh were needed after England wobbled early in their innings and slipped to 69 for 3 when Sarah Taylor fell for a brisk 27 off 23 balls. Edwards added 56 with Lydia Greenway and 54 with Marsh before departing to Jill Whelan. Marsh then took charge to guide the latter part of the innings with her runs coming off 55 balls, putting on 60 alongside Danielle Hazell (24 off 17).

Ireland's reply began in difficult fashion when Clare Shillington was forced to retire injured after being hit on the arm and they never threatened the target. Laura Delany offered the main resistance with 43 off 90 balls until she was the last wicket to fall. Marsh followed her batting success with an economical nine overs and Holly Colvin bagged two wickets.

"It was a great day today and personally nice to have scored my first one-day fifty," Marsh said. "I have been working hard with [head coach] Mark Lane and Jack Birkenshaw on my technique and it's paying off. Charlotte Edwards batted well up front and put in a good performance. We've now got to take this momentum into the one-day series against New Zealand."

The first ODI between England and New Zealand is at Taunton on July 10.