Wardlaw bowled an excellent spell in the middle of the innings

Laura Newton and Helen Wardlaw played the leading roles as England's women beat a Northerns Invitation XI by 51 runs in Pretoria.

England overcame the first over dismissal of Arran Brindle to make 212 all out as Newton maintained her good form with 60 off 89 balls.

The home side made a slow start and a spell of 3-11 from off-spinner Wardlaw ended the game as a contest.

Rosalie Birch took 2-31 as Northerns ended their innings on 161-8.

England took the opportunity to rest opening bat Charlotte Edwards and wicket-keeper Jane Smit ahead of the three remaining one-day internationals against South Africa.

Claire Taylor took over behind the stumps, but her first job was with the bat after Brindle was bowled for a duck.

She only managed 14 but Newton received excellent support from skipper Clare Connor as they added 102 in 22 overs.

Connor's dismissal for 44 began a slump which saw England subside from 120-2 to 174-7, but Clare Taylor (15) and Wardlaw (13) added 26 valuable runs before departing in the space of four deliveries.

Lucy Pearson struck with the new ball as the home side began their reply and alhtough Npumelelo Langa made 44, it took her almost two hours and included only one boundary.

She became Wardlaw's final victim in a spell which also saw her account for Tamara Reeves and Yulandi van der Merwe, reducing Northerns to 92-5.

Jenilee Leyds was caught behind off Birch as the decline continued and Taylor also completed a stumping to remove Lonell de Beer in the 48th over.

The third one-day international takes place in Pretoria on Sunday, with the series tied at 1-1.