Cool-headed Taylor helps England have the final say

England confirmed their status as tournament favourites by reaching the final of the Women’s World Twenty20 today.

It was more or less a routine victory by seven wickets against New Zealand, though a slow, tired pitch made run scoring more difficult than it ought to have been and the match a turgid affair.

Chasing a modest total of 93, England always looked to be in control, though they were careful to keep wickets intact. By common consent, they are the best team in the competition with the best batsman in Sarah Taylor.

It was, fittingly, Taylor, who guided them home with an unbeaten 21 from 32 balls. She shared a partnership of 40 from 39 balls with the left-hander Lydia Greenway as the pair worked the angles to perfection in running quick singles. There were 16 balls to spare.

But for Taylor’s class and Greenway’s enterprise, things might have become a little tricky after England’s veteran captain, Charlotte Edwards, was wonderfully caught at backward point. Edwards had just hit a cracking straight drive for four and was attempting a cut for similar reward off a wide short-pitched ball only for Sophie Devine to take a smart catch running backwards.

However Greenway, who has built a reputation as a formidable finisher, immediately stamped her authority. Playing largely square of the wicket with plenty of cheeky reverse sweeps, she ensured the board kept ticking along. With just a single needed it was the reverse sweep that caused her downfall when she hit the ball straight to point.