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With an emphatic opener to their campaign, the English side achieved a resounding 10-wicket victory on Friday, subsequent to removing their opponents for a meager 69 runs in just 20.4 overs – constituting the third lowest total in their record.

Unexpected Collapse from the Proteas

Despite the Proteas showing as a strong presence in global women’s cricket of late, having reached the final of the short-format World Cup last year and making the penultimate round of the most recent 50-over tournament, this performance was puzzling and humiliating. Only one player, gloveman Sinalo Jafta, managed double figures, and six of their players were clean bowled on a good pitch that infrequently played unpredictably.

The English Commanding Chase

Answering, the English new-look opening pair of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones wasted no time of the chase, finishing the contest with over 35 overs left – England's initial World Cup win secured in less than three hours. Perhaps of greater significance in what may prove a tight group stage event, England’s net run rate is now a excellent 3.77.

Bowling Effort Establishes the Tone

After England called correctly and inserted South Africa, Linsey Smith’s initial overs set the tone, the left-arm spinner posting a exceptional performance of 4-2-7-3 in her debut 50-over World Cup game. She grabbed a sharp caught and bowled to remove South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt, before floating the ball in to hit the wickets Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Leader’s Dream Reappearance

Leader Nat Sciver-Brunt brought herself on as first-change and had a ideal return to international bowling attack, dismissing Anneke Bosch plumb in front with her initial delivery since January’s Ashes series. In her subsequent over, Chloe Tryon offered a weak chance to Alice Capsey at midwicket, as South Africa slumped to 38 for six within the opening 11 overs.

Given Sciver-Brunt’s slow comeback to bowling readiness over the last nine months, there had been some debate as to the number of overs she would handle in this game, with England choosing to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb in part to guarantee there were alternative bowling resources.

Precise Conclusion

However a brief spell were sufficient of Sciver-Brunt: a partnership of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean neatly wrapped up the Proteas' lower order. Heather Knight, making a comeback after a extended battle with a leg problem, looked ready: she was not needed with the bat on this day, but took a sharp mid-level chance at the slips which put an end to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Hardly Tested

England’s fielding display – regularly under the spotlight nowadays – was scarcely examined here. Conversely it was the opposition who fumbled the possibility to run out Jones at the start, while Masabata Klaas put down a easy return catch offered by Jones on 31 – South Africa’s best chance of claiming a breakthrough. Rather, Jones kept on to drive the ball through the off-side, finishing remaining on 40. International play has rarely been this straightforward.