Number three Claire Taylor had a fine summer's cricket in 2003

Claire Taylor hit 90 as England's women retained the winning habit on their tour of South Africa.

Following facile wins in their first two one-day warm-up matches, the tourists beat the Eastern Province-Border XI by 124 runs on Saturday.

England's score of 225, made in 42.4 overs, was far too good for the home side, who nevertheless used up all 50 overs to reach 101-9.

Beth Morgan took 3-24 and Jenny Gunn claimed 2-18 for the tourists.

With leading seam bowler Lucy Pearson rested ahead of the first one-day international on Sunday, teenaged opening bowlers Gunn and Isa Guha did a fine job.

Guha's 10 overs cost just 13, and she claimed the first wicket of the EP-Border XI team who had to bat second after England captain Clare Connor had won the toss.

Though Connor failed with the bat, Charlotte Edwards 40 and Jane Smit contributed 26.

The key partnership was between number three Taylor, who spent much of the winter playing domestic cricket in New Zealand, and youngster Lydia Greenway, who hit 22.