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Through a powerful start to their tournament, the English side clinched a decisive 10-wicket win on the opening day, following dismissing South Africa for a meager 69 runs in merely 20.4 overs – constituting the third smallest total in their record.

Surprising Performance from the Proteas

Although South Africa having been a formidable force in international women’s cricket recently, having reached the championship match of the short-format World Cup last year and appearing in the last four of the previous 50-over competition, this display was confusing and humiliating. Just a single hitter, keeper Sinalo Jafta, managed double figures, and six of their batters were bowled out on a decent pitch that seldom behaved inconsistently.

England’s Dominant Chase

Answering, England’s new-look starting duo of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones wasted no time of the target, finishing the match with 215 balls remaining – their first World Cup victory earned in just under three hours. Possibly of greater significance in what might be a close group stage tournament, England’s net run rate is now a excellent 3.77.

Bowling Effort Sets the Standard

After the English team called correctly and put in South Africa, Linsey Smith’s opening spell laid the foundation, the slow left-armer posting a exceptional performance of 4-2-7-3 in her maiden 50-over World Cup game. She took a smart return catch to dismiss South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt, before turning the ball in to hit the wickets Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Captain’s Perfect Reappearance

Leader Nat Sciver-Brunt introduced herself as initial replacement and had a dream return to elite bowling attack, catching Anneke Bosch leg-before with her initial delivery since January’s Ashes series. In her following over, Chloe Tryon offered a soft catch to Alice Capsey at mid-on, as the Proteas fell to 38 for six within the initial 11 overs.

In light of Sciver-Brunt’s slow return to bowling form over the last nine months, there had been some debate as to what quantity of overs she would handle in this fixture, with England deciding to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb to some extent to ensure there were reserve bowling cover.

Precise Wrap-up

Yet three overs were all that was required of Sciver-Brunt: a duo of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean efficiently dispatched the Proteas' tail. Heather Knight, coming back after a long fight with a leg problem, looked eager: she was not needed with the bat on this occasion, but took a sharp mid-level chance at the slips which put an end to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Under Examined

The English fielding display – so often under the spotlight nowadays – was barely examined here. Rather it was South Africa who bungled the chance to run out Jones in the early stages, while Masabata Klaas dropped a straightforward self-taken opportunity offered by Jones on 31 – South Africa’s best chance of claiming a breakthrough. On the contrary, Jones kept on to hit the ball straight, finishing not out on 40. International cricket has never been so easy.