When asked about her coaching style and ambitions after being appointed in April, Edwards often made references to England’s approach to 50-over cricket, calling for a clearer gameplan and moving away from her predecessor Jon Lewis’ mantra of inspiring and entertaining.
With the World Cup in this format approaching in the autumn, England do not have long to put this into practice but at the first time of asking, their batters delivered.
West Indies’ attack was unthreatening and their fielding average, so it could be argued that Jones and Beaumont could have been a little more aggressive in the first half of the innings as they reached 121-0 after 25 overs.
But the plan was clear, as the pair adjusted to the slow bowling attack and made sure they had wickets in hand before accelerating in the final 20 overs.
England played 55% attacking shots inside the first 10 overs, which dropped to 45% in the next 10 and once both openers had passed 50, that increased to 77% between overs 21-30.
Their opening stand was England’s fifth-highest partnership in women’s ODI history and their highest for any wicket against West Indies in the format, which set the perfect platform for Sciver-Brunt.
Lamb was playing an unfamiliar role, coming to the crease in the 36th over, but captain Sciver-Brunt whacked six fours and a six from the wilting Windies bowlers as England passed 300 with ease.
Alice Capsey, brought in to replace the injured Heather Knight, added a quickfire 24 from 19 balls and despite a fast outfield and good batting surface, the total felt far beyond the tourists, whose batting line-up relies so heavily on their captain and all-rounder Matthews.
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