HARROW'S England cricket star Beth Morgan has vowed to take a leaf out of skipper Charlotte Edwards's book after an encouraging start to the international summer against the West Indies.
The 26-year-old batted at six in the opening one-day international on Friday (July 11) and made an unbeaten 17 in a partnership of 53 with Edwards before torrential rain abandoned proceedings.
Morgan was then handed 12th man duties 24 hours later in the second onedayer as England bosses decided to have a look at other squad members in the comfortable 10-wicket victory.
The former Nower Hill High School pupil Morgan said: "My job in the first game was to try and get Charlotte on strike as much as I could.
"It is great to play and learn from someone like her - she is probably one of the best players in the world at the moment.
"The rain was frustrating because we were just about to go big and I was disappointed I couldn't build on my start."
Edwards led from the front as the hosts eased to 156 for four before rain washed out play in the first one-dayer at Loughborough.
However, it was a different story a day later, with Buckinghamshire star Isa Guha single-handedly ripping through the tourist's top order with career best figures of five for 14 as they slumped to 41 all-out.
Sarah Taylor (30 not out) and Ebony Rainford-Brent (5 not out) guided England home inside eight overs but England and Morgan will have to up their game when the South Africans arrive for five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches next month.
* Watch England Women in action in the NatWest Women's Series at various grounds across the country. Visit www.ecb.co.uk/womens for more details.
