By Clare Taylor England women's cricket team

Isa Guha and Hannah Lloyd had been drafted into the squad as late replacements for Kathryn Leng and Sarah Collyer as we met at Bradfield College, Reading, to prepare for the series against India and New Zealand.

The weather was kind to us as we put in two good days of practice out in the middle prior to our flight to Jersey, which was chosen to host the first part of the series in an attempt to spread the appeal of the women's game.

Great to have Charlotte Edwards back

The Development Officer in Jersey, Chris Minty, has done an substantial amount of work in encouraging children to play the game, and felt hosting such a high profile series would give cricket the final push on the island, which has produced Premiership footballers but never a first-class cricketer.

Jersey is a quaint island with French influences in the windy, narrow, streets and chateau type houses; but English influences in the one-way system and Blackpool-style sea front of St Helier

The people of Jersey had pulled out all the stops to make us welcome, including a reception at the Governors house and a ball in our honour.

Early success

The ground at Granville was in excellent condition and was reputed to be an excellent batting track - music to the ears of us bowlers!

Our first game was against India and with our 5-0 drubbing in the winter still fresh in most people's mind we were keen to put the record straight.

Isa was making her debut and we welcomed back Charlotte Edwards and Claire Taylor, who missed the India trip through injury and Laura Harper who was unavailable due to college commitments.

Yours truly with trophy for my 100th wicket

Isa and Lucy Pearson picked up early wickets but Harper was the pick of the bowlers and returned her international best figures of four for 11 as the Indians were all out for 59.

On a personal note, I picked up my 100th international wicket and with my roommate Isa starting her international career with two, it was a good day for room 331.

Knowing that a win was more important than the actual manner of victory, Edwards cautiously steered us to victory with 31 not out.

It was a great feeling notching our first win in 11 one-day outings and one that we are all desperate to experience again.

On a worrying note, Lucy Pearson aggravated an injury and has flown home for a scan - but hopefully she will be fit for the second leg of the tournament in Durham.