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In a stunning start to their campaign, the English side clinched a comprehensive 10-wicket win on the opening day, after bowling out South Africa for a meager 69 runs in only 20.4 overs – constituting the third smallest total in their record.

Shocking Performance from the Proteas

Although South Africa being a formidable presence in global women’s cricket of late, after reaching the final of the T20 tournament last year and featuring in the penultimate round of the last 50-over event, this performance was baffling and embarrassing. Only one player, gloveman Sinalo Jafta, managed double figures, and six of their batters were clean bowled on a decent pitch that infrequently behaved erratically.

The English Overpowering Reply

Answering, the English fresh opening partnership of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones wasted no time of the target, finishing the match with 215 balls left – England's initial World Cup victory achieved in barely three hours. Perhaps more importantly in what might be a close group stage event, the English net run rate is now a impressive 3.77.

Attack Defines the Standard

Following England called correctly and chose to bowl South Africa, Linsey Smith’s initial overs established dominance, the slow left-armer achieving a remarkable performance of 4-2-7-3 in her first ever 50-over World Cup fixture. She claimed a sharp return catch to dismiss the captain Laura Wolvaardt, before drifting the ball in to rattle the stumps Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Skipper’s Ideal Reappearance

Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt introduced herself as initial replacement and experienced a perfect reappearance to top-level bowling, catching Anneke Bosch leg-before with her first ball since January’s Ashes series. In her subsequent over, Chloe Tryon offered a tame chance to Alice Capsey at midwicket, as the Proteas sunk to 38 for six within the first 11 overs.

In light of Sciver-Brunt’s measured return to bowling form over the last nine months, there had been some debate as to how many overs she would handle in this game, with the team deciding to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb partly to guarantee there were alternative bowling resources.

Efficient Conclusion

But a brief spell were sufficient of Sciver-Brunt: a duo of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean neatly finished off the South African lower order. Heather Knight, making a comeback after a extended fight with a leg problem, looked ready: she was not required with the batting duties on this instance, but grabbed a reflex shoulder-height grab at first slip which put an end to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Performance Under Challenged

England’s fielding – regularly scrutinized currently – was barely challenged here. Rather it was the opposition who fumbled the chance to run out Jones in the early stages, while Masabata Klaas missed a straightforward caught and bowled chance proffered up by Jones on 31 – South Africa’s best chance of claiming a breakthrough. Instead, Jones continued to hit the ball down the ground, ending not out on 40. World Cup cricket has rarely been so easy.