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In a stunning beginning to their campaign, England achieved a resounding 10-wicket triumph on Friday, following bowling out South Africa for a low 69 runs in only 20.4 overs – representing the third poorest total in the South African history.

Shocking Display from South Africa

Even though South Africa showing as a formidable presence in global women's cricket recently, following their the final of the T20 World Cup last year and making the last four of the previous 50-over tournament, this display was confusing and humiliating. Just a single batter, keeper Sinalo Jafta, attained double figures, and half a dozen of their players were clean bowled on a fair pitch that seldom played inconsistently.

The English Commanding Chase

Responding, the English new-look starting duo of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones quickly finished of the pursuit, completing the game with a huge number to spare – England's opening World Cup victory earned in just under three hours. Maybe of greater significance in what might be a close preliminary tournament, the English net run rate is now a more-than-healthy 3.77.

Bowling Effort Sets the Pace

Following the English team won the toss and put in South Africa, Linsey Smith’s starting burst laid the foundation, the spin bowler posting a outstanding performance of 4-2-7-3 in her first ever 50-over World Cup fixture. She claimed a clever self-taken catch to remove South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt, before floating the ball in to hit the wickets Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Leader’s Ideal Reappearance

Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt brought herself on as first-change and enjoyed a perfect return to elite bowling duties, dismissing Anneke Bosch LBW with her initial delivery since the Ashes series. In her next over, Chloe Tryon sent up a tame catch to Alice Capsey at midwicket, as the Proteas slumped to 38 for six within the opening 11 overs.

In light of Sciver-Brunt’s slow recovery to bowling form over the previous nine months, there had been some debate as to what quantity of overs she might manage in this game, with the team opting to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb to some extent to make sure there were reserve bowling cover.

Precise Conclusion

However a brief spell were sufficient of Sciver-Brunt: a duo of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean effectively dispatched the Proteas' tail. Heather Knight, making a comeback after a long battle with a muscle issue, looked ready: she was unneeded with the batting duties on this occasion, but did hold onto a quick mid-level catch at the slips which ended the innings to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Under Challenged

The English fielding – frequently under the spotlight nowadays – was scarcely tested here. Conversely it was South Africa who missed the possibility to remove Jones at the start, while Masabata Klaas put down a simple caught and bowled chance proffered up by Jones on 31 – South Africa’s best chance of claiming a dismissal. Instead, Jones continued to drive the ball through the off-side, finishing unbeaten on 40. Elite the game has never been this straightforward.