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With an emphatic beginning to their campaign, England achieved a resounding 10-wicket victory on the opening day, after removing their opponents for a meager 69 runs in only 20.4 overs – representing the third poorest total in the South African history.

Surprising Collapse from the Proteas

Although the Proteas having been a powerful team in global women's cricket of late, having reached the final of the T20 tournament last year and featuring in the last four of the last 50-over tournament, this showing was confusing and embarrassing. Just a single batter, gloveman Sinalo Jafta, managed double figures, and multiple of their hitters were dismissed bowled on a good pitch that seldom acted inconsistently.

England’s Dominant Reply

Answering, the English new-look opening pair of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones made short work of the target, finishing the match with over 35 overs left – their initial World Cup victory earned in barely three hours. Perhaps of greater significance in what could be a competitive round-robin event, England’s net run rate is now a more-than-healthy 3.77.

Bowling Effort Sets the Tone

After the English team took the toss and put in South Africa, Linsey Smith’s initial overs set the tone, the spin bowler recording a exceptional return of 4-2-7-3 in her first ever 50-over World Cup fixture. She grabbed a smart self-taken catch to see off South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt, before drifting the ball in to bowl Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Leader’s Perfect Return

Leader Nat Sciver-Brunt introduced herself as first bowling change and enjoyed a dream 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 soft catch to Alice Capsey at midwicket, as the Proteas slumped to 38 for six within the first 11 overs.

Given Sciver-Brunt’s gradual return to bowling form over the past nine months, there had been some debate as to the number of overs she could bowl in this fixture, with the team opting to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb partly to guarantee there were reserve bowling cover.

Precise Wrap-up

But three overs were sufficient of Sciver-Brunt: a partnership of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean neatly wrapped up the South African remaining batters. Heather Knight, returning after a long fight with a muscle issue, looked raring to go: she was unneeded with the batting on this day, but grabbed a quick mid-level catch at slip which ended the innings to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Effort Barely Challenged

The English fielding display – frequently watched closely nowadays – was scarcely tested here. Conversely it was South Africa who missed the possibility to dismiss Jones in the early stages, while Masabata Klaas dropped a straightforward caught and bowled chance offered by Jones on 31 – the Proteas' prime opportunity of taking a wicket. On the contrary, Jones persisted to hit the ball straight, ending not out on 40. International cricket has never been this straightforward.