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With an emphatic opener to their campaign, England clinched a resounding 10-wicket win on the opening day, following bowling out their opponents for a meager 69 runs in merely 20.4 overs – representing the third lowest total in the South African annals.

Shocking Collapse from the Proteas

Although South Africa being a formidable presence in international the women's game of late, having reached the final of the short-format World Cup last year and making the penultimate round of the last 50-over competition, this showing was puzzling and humiliating. Only one batter, wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta, managed double figures, and multiple of their batters were dismissed bowled on a good pitch that infrequently behaved inconsistently.

The English Commanding Chase

Responding, England’s revamped opening partnership of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones made short work of the target, finishing the contest with 215 balls left – England's first World Cup victory earned in less than three hours. Perhaps more importantly in what could be a competitive group stage competition, England’s net run rate is now a more-than-healthy 3.77.

Bowling Establishes the Pace

Subsequent to England won the toss and inserted the opposition, Linsey Smith’s initial overs set the tone, the spin bowler achieving a outstanding performance of 4-2-7-3 in her maiden 50-over World Cup game. She grabbed a clever caught and bowled to dismiss South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt, before turning the ball in to bowl Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Captain’s Dream Comeback

Leader Nat Sciver-Brunt introduced herself as first bowling change and experienced a perfect return to top-level bowling, dismissing Anneke Bosch LBW with her opening ball since January’s Ashes series. In her subsequent over, Chloe Tryon offered a soft chance to Alice Capsey at the on-side, as South Africa fell to 38 for six within the initial 11 overs.

Given Sciver-Brunt’s gradual return to bowling readiness over the last nine months, there had been questions as to how many overs she could bowl in this match, with England opting to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb in part to ensure there were back-up bowling resources.

Efficient Wrap-up

However three overs were enough of Sciver-Brunt: a combination of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean effectively finished off the Proteas' remaining batters. Heather Knight, coming back after a long battle with a leg problem, looked eager: she was not needed with the batting duties on this day, but grabbed a quick mid-level grab at first slip which put an end to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Performance Barely Examined

The English fielding – regularly under the spotlight nowadays – was barely challenged here. Instead it was South Africa who fumbled the opportunity to run out Jones early on, while Masabata Klaas missed a straightforward return catch given by Jones on 31 – the Proteas' best chance of taking a dismissal. On the contrary, Jones kept on to hit the ball through the off-side, ending unbeaten on 40. International cricket has seldom been so easy.