World record looms for Sarah Taylor

Sarah Taylor, England's talented wicketkeeper-batsman, is on the brink of becoming the youngest woman to 1000 ODI runs. Taylor, who has just turned 19, is almost certain to beat Mithali Raj, India's skipper, who was 21 years and a week when she brought up the feat.

Taylor needs 32 runs to bring up the landmark which could be achieved today when England face South Africa in the fourth ODI at Shenley. There is then a fifth ODI, on Monday at Chesterfield, before the series against India which begins later this month.

The match is a dead rubber, with England already having wrapped up the series, so all eyes will be on Taylor, who averages 40.33 from her 31 ODIs to date. An assured batsman with a natural eye, her stated aim from the outset of her career has been to score at a run a ball. Her strike rate may be below that but still stands at an impressive 76.10.

But Charlotte Edwards, Taylor's captain, will remain the fastest player to the feat for now. While Edwards was 21 and a half when she brought up 1000 ODI runs, she required only 30 ODIs to reach the mark in June 2000 against South Africa. Raj was also quicker, having reached the milestone in her 31st one-dayer, against New Zealand in December 2003.

Taylor's efforts, then, reflect both her talent but also the increasing amount of international cricket played by women.