Match report

Playing in her 65th one-dayer in her third World Cup, Edwards' 63 took her past Jan Brittin with 2,178 runs.

"Jan was a very special player and it is a privilege to head the record table with someone like that," she said.

"Records are great, but she won a World Cup too and that's my main aim in the next few weeks."

Edwards shared a partnership of 128 with Claire Taylor, who went on to score a stunning 136 off 128 balls.

And captain Clare Connor also helped out with a stand of 119 in England's 284-4.

"Partnerships are key to scoring big runs in one-day cricket, so we were looking to get a couple," said Taylor.

"It was brilliant to bat with Charlotte and then with Connie."

It's important against the minnows that you go out and put on a good show Claire Taylor

Despite England's massive total, Taylor said the pitch at Harlequins in Pretoria was anything but a belter.

"The pitch was very slow, certainly one to get in on, not take too many risks and keep the ball along the floor," she explained.

"Charlotte and I talked about that a lot and we did it quite well.

"I thought it was going to be a 'hard slog' wicket where we were going to have to grind out the runs.

"And it was for the first 10 or so overs, but then it became a bit easier."

Taylor's knock, which included 11 boundaries and a six, was agonisingly close to her highest score in one-day cricket, 137 not out against the same team at the last World Cup.

She said: "It was really nice to get back-to-back tons."

After bowling Sri Lanka out for 70 and picking up a bonus point, England sit atop the World Cup table.

"Batting first was key to getting a big score and upping the run-rate, and Sri Lanka only scored 70 so we got the bonus point. Brilliant," Taylor beamed.

"It's important against the teams considered lesser or minnows that you go out and put on a good show."

The next round of games take place on Saturday, with England facing Ireland at Eesterust.