Brilliant Beaumont leads England to South Africa ODI sweep

England v South Africa Scorecard

Tammy Beaumont issues timely reminder

The experienced opener didn't take too kindly to being left out of England's Commonwealth Games squad as she smashed a brilliant century to lead her side to victory in Leicester.

Beaumont put on 149 for the opening wicket alongside fellow opener Emma Lamb (65) and then further upped the ante when Sophia Dunkley (51) joined her at the crease in sweltering conditions at Grace Road.

The 31-year-old eventually fell for an excellent 119 from just 107 deliveries, leading the way for the hosts to compile a whopping 371/7 from their allotted 50 overs.

Stylish Laura Wolvaardt gives South Africa hope

The visitors were going to need a fast start to have any chance of chasing down England’s mammoth score and opening duo Laura Wolvaardt and Andrie Steyn provided a glimmer of hope when they put on 60 inside the first eight overs of the run chase.

Wolvaardt in particular punished anything that was loose as she brought up her 29th ODI half-century, but the talented 23-year-old once again failed to go on with it as she fell to Charlie Dean for 56.

Two other South Africa batters also made it past fifty - Chloe Tryon hit 70 and Marizanne Kapp contributed 62 - but South Africa found the run rate required too steep as they were eventually bundled out in the 46th over for just 262 in reply.

England spinners do the damage

It was the England's slow bowlers that proved pivotal during South Africa's run chase, with Dean (3/42) and Lamb (3/42) combining for six wickets in an excellent team effort.

Inexperienced pacer Alice Davidson-Richards (3/35) also chimed in with her own three-wicket haul as many of South Africa's world class batters failed to convert their good starts into big scores.

In the end this proved the difference in the series, with England's batters a class above and scoring a century in each match to ensure a comprehensive 3-0 series sweep.