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With an emphatic opener to their campaign, the English side clinched a decisive 10-wicket victory on the opening day, after removing South Africa for a meager 69 runs in only 20.4 overs – constituting the third poorest total in the South African record.

Shocking Display from the Proteas

Although South Africa having been a formidable presence in global women’s cricket recently, having reached the title decider of the T20 tournament last year and appearing in the last four of the most recent 50-over event, this performance was baffling and embarrassing. Solely one batter, wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta, reached double figures, and six of their hitters were bowled out on a decent pitch that seldom played erratically.

England’s Commanding Chase

Responding, England’s revamped starting duo of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones quickly finished of the chase, finishing the contest with 215 balls remaining – their initial World Cup victory earned in less than three hours. Possibly more importantly in what may prove a close preliminary event, England’s net run rate is now a more-than-healthy 3.77.

Bowling Defines the Pace

Subsequent to England called correctly and inserted South Africa, Linsey Smith’s opening spell set the tone, the left-arm spinner achieving a exceptional figures of 4-2-7-3 in her maiden 50-over World Cup match. She grabbed a smart return catch to see off the captain Laura Wolvaardt, before floating the ball in to rattle the stumps Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Leader’s Perfect Return

Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt came on as initial replacement and had a perfect comeback to international bowling, dismissing Anneke Bosch plumb in front with her initial delivery since January’s Ashes series. In her subsequent over, Chloe Tryon presented a tame chance to Alice Capsey at the on-side, as the Proteas sunk to 38 for six within the opening 11 overs.

In light of Sciver-Brunt’s slow comeback to bowling fitness over the past nine months, there had been discussion as to how many overs she would handle in this match, with the team opting to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb to some extent to make sure there were alternative bowling cover.

Clinical Wrap-up

Yet three overs were all that was required of Sciver-Brunt: a combination of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean neatly wrapped up the South African tail. Heather Knight, making a comeback after a extended battle with a hamstring injury, looked eager: she was not required with the batting duties on this occasion, but took a sharp shoulder-height chance at the slips which brought an end to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Under Examined

England’s fielding effort – regularly scrutinized these days – was barely tested here. Rather it was the opposition who bungled the opportunity to remove Jones at the start, while Masabata Klaas dropped a straightforward caught and bowled chance proffered up by Jones on 31 – the Proteas' best chance of claiming a breakthrough. Rather, Jones persisted to loft the ball down the ground, finishing not out on 40. International play has seldom been so easy.