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Through a powerful start to their tournament, England clinched a decisive 10-wicket victory on Friday, after removing their opponents for a low 69 runs in just 20.4 overs – constituting the third lowest total in the South African history.

Shocking Performance from South Africa

Even though South Africa having been a powerful presence in international women's cricket recently, having reached the championship match of the T20 World Cup last year and appearing in the last four of the most recent 50-over competition, this showing was confusing and disappointing. Only one hitter, wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta, reached double figures, and half a dozen of their players were dismissed bowled on a fair pitch that infrequently played inconsistently.

The English Commanding Chase

Responding, England’s fresh starting duo of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones made short work of the target, completing the game with a huge number remaining – England's first World Cup success achieved in just under three hours. Perhaps of greater significance in what might be a tight round-robin tournament, England’s net run rate is now a excellent 3.77.

Bowling Establishes the Tone

Following England called correctly and put in South Africa, Linsey Smith’s initial overs set the tone, the slow left-armer recording a exceptional return of 4-2-7-3 in her debut 50-over World Cup game. She claimed a clever self-taken catch to remove the captain Laura Wolvaardt, before floating the ball in to hit the wickets Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Leader’s Perfect Comeback

Leader Nat Sciver-Brunt came on as initial replacement and experienced a dream reappearance to elite bowling, trapping Anneke Bosch leg-before with her initial delivery since the Ashes series. In her following over, Chloe Tryon presented a tame chance to Alice Capsey at the on-side, as the Proteas sunk to 38 for six within the first 11 overs.

Considering Sciver-Brunt’s gradual comeback to bowling form over the last nine months, there had been questions as to what quantity of overs she could bowl in this game, with England deciding to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb to some extent to make sure there were back-up bowling options.

Precise Finish

But a brief spell were sufficient of Sciver-Brunt: a combination of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean efficiently dispatched the Proteas' lower order. Heather Knight, returning after a long struggle with a hamstring injury, looked eager: she was not needed with the bat on this day, but grabbed a quick shoulder-height catch at slip which put an end to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Effort Under Tested

The English fielding display – regularly scrutinized currently – was hardly examined here. Conversely it was the opposition who fumbled the opportunity to run out Jones early on, while Masabata Klaas put down a simple self-taken opportunity proffered up by Jones on 31 – South Africa’s prime opportunity of securing a breakthrough. On the contrary, Jones persisted to hit the ball through the off-side, ending unbeaten on 40. Elite the game has seldom been this straightforward.