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In a stunning beginning to their World Cup, England secured a comprehensive 10-wicket victory on Friday, after removing South Africa for a low 69 runs in merely 20.4 overs – constituting the third poorest total in the South African annals.

Surprising Performance from the Proteas

Even though the Proteas being a formidable team in international women’s cricket lately, having reached the championship match of the short-format World Cup last year and making the last four of the most recent 50-over tournament, this performance was confusing and disappointing. Only one player, wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta, attained double figures, and half a dozen of their hitters were clean bowled on a good pitch that rarely played erratically.

The English Dominant Chase

Answering, England’s fresh opening pair of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones quickly finished of the chase, completing the contest with a huge number to spare – their opening World Cup success achieved in barely three hours. Perhaps of greater significance in what could be a close preliminary event, England’s net run rate is now a more-than-healthy 3.77.

Attack Sets the Pace

Following the English team called correctly and chose to bowl the opposition, Linsey Smith’s initial overs established dominance, the spin bowler recording a exceptional figures of 4-2-7-3 in her maiden 50-over World Cup game. She claimed a smart caught and bowled to remove the captain Laura Wolvaardt, before drifting the ball in to rattle the stumps Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Captain’s Perfect Comeback

Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt brought herself on as first-change and enjoyed a perfect reappearance to elite bowling, catching Anneke Bosch plumb in front with her initial delivery since the Ashes series. In her next over, Chloe Tryon presented a weak catch to Alice Capsey at midwicket, as South Africa sunk to 38 for six within the opening 11 overs.

In light of Sciver-Brunt’s slow comeback to bowling fitness over the last nine months, there had been some debate as to what quantity of overs she could bowl in this match, with England deciding to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb in part to guarantee there were back-up bowling resources.

Clinical Finish

Yet a short stint were all that was required of Sciver-Brunt: a partnership of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean efficiently wrapped up the Proteas' tail. Heather Knight, making a comeback after a lengthy struggle with a muscle issue, looked raring to go: she was unneeded with the batting on this occasion, but took a quick chest-high catch at first slip which ended the innings to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Effort Under Challenged

The English fielding effort – frequently scrutinized currently – was barely challenged here. Rather it was the opposition who fumbled the opportunity to remove Jones at the start, while Masabata Klaas missed a easy self-taken opportunity proffered up by Jones on 31 – the Proteas' prime opportunity of claiming a dismissal. Rather, Jones persisted to loft the ball through the off-side, concluding remaining on 40. Elite cricket has never been so easy.