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In a stunning start to their campaign, the English side achieved a resounding 10-wicket triumph on Friday, following dismissing South Africa for a meager 69 runs in only 20.4 overs – representing the third lowest total in the South African history.

Shocking Performance from the Proteas

Although the Proteas showing as a strong team in international the women's game recently, having reached the title decider of the T20 World Cup last year and appearing in the last four of the last 50-over event, this performance was baffling and embarrassing. Just a single hitter, gloveman Sinalo Jafta, reached double figures, and half a dozen of their players were dismissed bowled on a good pitch that seldom played erratically.

The English Overpowering Response

Responding, England’s fresh opening pair of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones made short work of the chase, wrapping up the match with 215 balls remaining – England's opening World Cup win earned in just under three hours. Maybe even more critical in what might be a competitive group stage event, England’s net run rate is now a more-than-healthy 3.77.

Bowling Effort Sets the Standard

Subsequent to England took the toss and chose to bowl the opposition, Linsey Smith’s starting burst laid the foundation, the spin bowler posting a outstanding figures of 4-2-7-3 in her maiden 50-over World Cup fixture. She claimed a smart caught and bowled to dismiss South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt, before turning the ball in to hit the wickets Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Skipper’s Perfect Comeback

Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt brought herself on as first-change and experienced a dream comeback to international bowling duties, trapping Anneke Bosch LBW with her first ball since January’s Ashes series. In her next over, Chloe Tryon presented a weak chance to Alice Capsey at midwicket, as the Proteas sunk to 38 for six within the first 11 overs.

Given Sciver-Brunt’s gradual recovery to bowling fitness over the last nine months, there had been questions as to what quantity of overs she would handle in this game, with the team choosing to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb in part to ensure there were back-up bowling cover.

Efficient Conclusion

However a brief spell were sufficient of Sciver-Brunt: a duo of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean efficiently wrapped up the Proteas' remaining batters. Heather Knight, making a comeback after a lengthy fight with a muscle issue, looked ready: she was not required with the batting on this day, but took a reflex chest-high chance at slip which ended the innings to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Effort Under Tested

The English fielding effort – regularly under the spotlight these days – was barely examined here. Instead it was the opposition who missed the chance to remove Jones early on, while Masabata Klaas missed a easy self-taken opportunity proffered up by Jones on 31 – South Africa’s best chance of taking a breakthrough. On the contrary, Jones kept on to loft the ball down the ground, concluding remaining on 40. International play has seldom been this straightforward.