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In a stunning opener to their World Cup, the English side achieved a comprehensive 10-wicket victory on the opening day, after dismissing their opponents for a low 69 runs in just 20.4 overs – marking the third smallest total in the South African history.

Unexpected Performance from the Proteas

Despite the Proteas having been a strong team in global the women's game of late, following their the final of the T20 tournament last year and making the penultimate round of the last 50-over competition, this display was baffling and embarrassing. Solely one player, gloveman Sinalo Jafta, attained double figures, and six of their players were dismissed bowled on a decent pitch that infrequently acted erratically.

England’s Dominant Reply

In reply, the English revamped starting duo of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones made short work of the pursuit, completing the match with over 35 overs to spare – their opening World Cup victory achieved in just under three hours. Possibly more importantly in what might be a tight preliminary event, the English net run rate is now a impressive 3.77.

Attack Establishes the Tone

After the English team won the toss and inserted South Africa, Linsey Smith’s initial overs laid the foundation, the slow left-armer posting a remarkable figures of 4-2-7-3 in her first ever 50-over World Cup match. She took a clever caught and bowled to remove the captain Laura Wolvaardt, before turning the ball in to rattle the stumps Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Leader’s Ideal Comeback

Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt brought herself on as initial replacement and experienced a ideal return to international bowling attack, dismissing Anneke Bosch plumb in front with her first ball since January’s Ashes series. In her following over, Chloe Tryon presented a soft catch to Alice Capsey at the on-side, as the Proteas sunk to 38 for six within the initial 11 overs.

Given Sciver-Brunt’s slow recovery to bowling readiness over the last nine months, there had been discussion as to how many overs she would handle in this game, with England opting to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb partly to ensure there were back-up bowling options.

Efficient Conclusion

But a short stint were sufficient of Sciver-Brunt: a duo of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean effectively finished off the South African tail. Heather Knight, making a comeback after a lengthy battle with a muscle issue, looked raring to go: she was not needed with the bat on this day, but did hold onto a quick shoulder-height grab at the slips which ended the innings to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Effort Hardly Tested

England’s fielding effort – regularly watched closely nowadays – was barely examined here. Rather it was South Africa who fumbled the chance to dismiss Jones early on, while Masabata Klaas put down a simple caught and bowled chance proffered up by Jones on 31 – the Proteas' prime opportunity of taking a breakthrough. On the contrary, Jones kept on to drive the ball straight, finishing remaining on 40. Elite the game has never been this simple.