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With an emphatic start to their campaign, England achieved a resounding 10-wicket victory on the opening day, following bowling out South Africa for a paltry 69 runs in only 20.4 overs – representing the third poorest total in the South African history.

Shocking Display from South Africa

Despite South Africa being a powerful team in global women's cricket lately, having reached the championship match of the short-format World Cup last year and featuring in the penultimate round of the last 50-over competition, this display was confusing and disappointing. Just a single batter, keeper Sinalo Jafta, managed double figures, and multiple of their players were clean bowled on a fair pitch that rarely acted erratically.

The English Commanding Chase

Answering, England’s new-look opening partnership of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones made short work of the pursuit, completing the game with 215 balls remaining – England's first World Cup win earned in just under three hours. Possibly of greater significance in what might be a close preliminary event, the English net run rate is now a more-than-healthy 3.77.

Bowling Defines the Standard

Subsequent to the English team won the toss and put in the opposition, Linsey Smith’s initial overs established dominance, the spin bowler recording a exceptional performance of 4-2-7-3 in her first ever 50-over World Cup game. She claimed a sharp return catch to remove the captain Laura Wolvaardt, before turning the ball in to hit the wickets Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Captain’s Ideal Return

Leader Nat Sciver-Brunt introduced herself as first bowling change and had a dream comeback to international bowling attack, trapping Anneke Bosch LBW with her opening ball since January’s Ashes series. In her next over, Chloe Tryon presented a tame chance to Alice Capsey at the on-side, as South Africa sunk to 38 for six within the first 11 overs.

Given Sciver-Brunt’s slow return to bowling fitness over the last nine months, there had been some debate as to the number of overs she could bowl in this game, with the team choosing to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb to some extent to ensure there were reserve bowling options.

Precise Wrap-up

However a short stint were all that was required of Sciver-Brunt: a partnership of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean effectively wrapped up the Proteas' tail. Heather Knight, returning after a long fight with a muscle issue, looked eager: she was not needed with the batting on this occasion, but grabbed a quick chest-high catch at first slip which ended the innings to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Barely Examined

The English fielding – frequently under the spotlight these days – was hardly examined here. Conversely it was the opposition who missed the opportunity to remove Jones early on, while Masabata Klaas missed a straightforward caught and bowled chance proffered up by Jones on 31 – South Africa’s top opening of taking a dismissal. Instead, Jones continued to loft the ball through the off-side, concluding unbeaten on 40. World Cup play has seldom been so easy.