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With an emphatic start to their campaign, the English side achieved a resounding 10-wicket win on the opening day, following bowling out South Africa for a low 69 runs in only 20.4 overs – constituting the third smallest total in the South African history.

Shocking Display from the Proteas

Despite the Proteas being a strong team in world women's cricket lately, after reaching the title decider of the T20 tournament last year and featuring in the semi-finals of the most recent 50-over tournament, this performance was baffling and disappointing. Only one player, gloveman Sinalo Jafta, reached double figures, and half a dozen of their hitters were bowled out on a decent pitch that seldom behaved inconsistently.

England’s Commanding Response

In reply, England’s revamped starting duo of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones wasted no time of the pursuit, wrapping up the match with over 35 overs left – their first World Cup victory achieved in barely three hours. Perhaps of greater significance in what could be a close group stage competition, England’s net run rate is now a more-than-healthy 3.77.

Bowling Effort Sets the Pace

Subsequent to the English team won the toss and chose to bowl the opposition, Linsey Smith’s starting burst established dominance, the slow left-armer recording a remarkable return of 4-2-7-3 in her debut 50-over World Cup game. She claimed a clever return catch to remove the captain Laura Wolvaardt, before floating the ball in to rattle the stumps Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Leader’s Dream Comeback

Leader Nat Sciver-Brunt introduced herself as initial replacement and enjoyed a perfect return to top-level bowling, dismissing Anneke Bosch plumb in front with her initial delivery since January’s Ashes series. In her following over, Chloe Tryon offered a weak leading edge to Alice Capsey at mid-on, as South Africa sunk to 38 for six within the first 11 overs.

In light of Sciver-Brunt’s slow recovery to bowling readiness over the last nine months, there had been questions as to how many overs she could bowl in this fixture, with England choosing to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb to some extent to guarantee there were alternative bowling cover.

Clinical Wrap-up

Yet a short stint were enough of Sciver-Brunt: a partnership of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean effectively finished off the Proteas' tail. Heather Knight, making a comeback after a lengthy struggle with a muscle issue, looked eager: she was not needed with the batting duties on this instance, but took a quick mid-level catch at the slips which brought an end to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Under Examined

England’s fielding display – so often watched closely currently – was barely examined here. Instead it was the opposition who fumbled the opportunity to dismiss Jones early on, while Masabata Klaas put down a simple self-taken opportunity given by Jones on 31 – South Africa’s best chance of claiming a wicket. Rather, Jones kept on to drive the ball straight, concluding remaining on 40. International cricket has never been this straightforward.