North Yorkshire's Melissa Reynard won the player of the match award for her all-round performance, which included two wickets as well as her contribution with the bat, as England began their recovery after a dire winter tour down under by chalking up a 20-run win over South Africa in yesterday's one-day international at Chelmsford.
The South Africans may not yet be the toughest opponents around but they, like England, are hoping to use this five-match series as a base for World Cup success in December.
The tourists gave themselves a chance of victory by bowling England out for 159 off 44 overs on a rain-interrupted day.
Barbara Daniels made 49 off 89 balls and Melissa Reynard 46 off 54 in a working total which England were ultimately able to defend.
South Africa were kept down to 139 for nine - with the last wicket falling off the final ball of the day.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article