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In a stunning beginning to their campaign, the English side achieved a decisive 10-wicket win on the opening day, after removing their opponents for a meager 69 runs in only 20.4 overs – marking the third poorest total in the South African record.

Shocking Display from the Proteas

Despite South Africa having been a formidable force in world women’s cricket lately, following their the final of the T20 World Cup last year and making the penultimate round of the most recent 50-over event, this showing was confusing and disappointing. Just a single player, gloveman Sinalo Jafta, reached double figures, and six of their hitters were clean bowled on a fair pitch that seldom acted inconsistently.

England’s Commanding Chase

Responding, England’s fresh opening pair of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones quickly finished of the target, wrapping up the match with over 35 overs remaining – England's opening World Cup success achieved in less than three hours. Perhaps even more critical in what might be a tight group stage event, the English net run rate is now a more-than-healthy 3.77.

Bowling Effort Establishes the Standard

After the English team won the toss and inserted the opposition, Linsey Smith’s opening spell laid the foundation, the left-arm spinner recording a exceptional return of 4-2-7-3 in her first ever 50-over World Cup game. She claimed a sharp self-taken catch to see off the captain Laura Wolvaardt, before turning the ball in to bowl Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Skipper’s Ideal Return

Leader Nat Sciver-Brunt introduced herself as first-change and experienced a perfect return to elite bowling duties, catching Anneke Bosch plumb in front with her first ball since January’s Ashes series. In her subsequent over, Chloe Tryon offered a soft leading edge to Alice Capsey at the on-side, as South Africa fell to 38 for six within the first 11 overs.

Given Sciver-Brunt’s slow return to bowling form over the previous nine months, there had been some debate as to what quantity of overs she could bowl in this fixture, with the team opting to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb to some extent to guarantee there were reserve bowling options.

Efficient Conclusion

But a brief spell were sufficient of Sciver-Brunt: a partnership of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean efficiently wrapped up the Proteas' tail. Heather Knight, returning after a long struggle with a hamstring injury, looked eager: she was not needed with the batting on this day, but grabbed a reflex chest-high chance at first slip which put an end to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Performance Hardly Tested

The English fielding display – regularly watched closely nowadays – was hardly challenged here. Instead it was South Africa who fumbled the possibility to run out Jones at the start, while Masabata Klaas missed a straightforward self-taken opportunity given by Jones on 31 – the Proteas' top opening of securing a dismissal. On the contrary, Jones continued to drive the ball down the ground, finishing not out on 40. Elite cricket has never been this simple.