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In a stunning start to their campaign, the English side secured a decisive 10-wicket victory on the opening day, subsequent to dismissing their opponents for a meager 69 runs in just 20.4 overs – representing the third smallest total in their annals.

Unexpected Display from South Africa

Although the Proteas being a powerful team in world women’s cricket of late, following their the championship match of the T20 World Cup last year and featuring in the semi-finals of the last 50-over event, this display was confusing and disappointing. Solely one hitter, wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta, attained double figures, and multiple of their batters were bowled out on a good pitch that infrequently acted inconsistently.

The English Overpowering Chase

Answering, the English revamped opening partnership of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones quickly finished of the chase, finishing the match with over 35 overs remaining – England's opening World Cup win earned in just under three hours. Perhaps even more critical in what may prove a tight round-robin competition, England’s net run rate is now a excellent 3.77.

Bowling Sets the Standard

Subsequent to the English team took the toss and put in the opposition, Linsey Smith’s starting burst set the tone, the slow left-armer posting a exceptional performance of 4-2-7-3 in her debut 50-over World Cup fixture. She took a clever caught and bowled to see off the captain Laura Wolvaardt, before turning the ball in to rattle the stumps Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Captain’s Perfect Reappearance

Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt introduced herself as first bowling change and had a perfect comeback to international bowling duties, trapping Anneke Bosch leg-before with her initial delivery since January’s Ashes series. In her following over, Chloe Tryon presented a soft leading edge to Alice Capsey at midwicket, as the Proteas sunk to 38 for six within the first 11 overs.

Given Sciver-Brunt’s measured return to bowling fitness over the past nine months, there had been some debate as to the number of overs she might manage in this fixture, with England choosing to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb in part to make sure there were back-up bowling options.

Efficient Finish

Yet three overs were all that was required of Sciver-Brunt: a duo of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean efficiently dispatched the South African lower order. Heather Knight, making a comeback after a extended battle with a hamstring injury, looked raring to go: she was not required with the bat on this occasion, but took a quick chest-high catch at the slips which brought an end to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Effort Hardly Tested

The English fielding – so often under the spotlight nowadays – was barely challenged here. Rather it was South Africa who bungled the opportunity to remove Jones early on, while Masabata Klaas put down a straightforward self-taken opportunity proffered up by Jones on 31 – South Africa’s top opening of taking a breakthrough. On the contrary, Jones kept on to drive the ball down the ground, ending not out on 40. International the game has rarely been this simple.