In a stunning opener to their campaign, England clinched a comprehensive 10-wicket win on Friday, following bowling out their opponents for a paltry 69 runs in just 20.4 overs – marking the third smallest total in the South African record.
Shocking Performance from South Africa
Even though the Proteas having been a powerful team in international the women's game recently, having reached the final of the T20 tournament last year and featuring in the penultimate round of the previous 50-over event, this display was puzzling and disappointing. Just a single batter, gloveman Sinalo Jafta, managed double figures, and multiple of their players were clean bowled on a fair pitch that rarely behaved inconsistently.
England’s Dominant Chase
In reply, England’s fresh starting duo of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones wasted no time of the target, completing the match with a huge number left – England's opening World Cup success achieved in just under three hours. Maybe of greater significance in what could be a close round-robin tournament, England’s net run rate is now a excellent 3.77.
Bowling Establishes the Pace
Following the English team called correctly and inserted the opposition, Linsey Smith’s initial overs laid the foundation, the slow left-armer recording a outstanding figures of 4-2-7-3 in her debut 50-over World Cup match. She took a sharp self-taken catch to dismiss the captain Laura Wolvaardt, before floating the ball in to rattle the stumps Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.
Captain’s Dream Return
Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt came on as first bowling change and experienced a perfect reappearance to top-level bowling, trapping Anneke Bosch plumb in front with her opening ball since January’s Ashes series. In her next over, Chloe Tryon sent up a tame catch to Alice Capsey at the on-side, as South Africa fell to 38 for six within the initial 11 overs.
Given Sciver-Brunt’s gradual recovery to bowling readiness over the last nine months, there had been some debate as to what quantity of overs she might manage in this match, with England choosing to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb in part to make sure there were back-up bowling cover.
Efficient Finish
However three overs were sufficient of Sciver-Brunt: a partnership of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean neatly dispatched the Proteas' tail. Heather Knight, making a comeback after a extended struggle with a leg problem, looked raring to go: she was unneeded with the batting on this day, but grabbed a sharp shoulder-height chance at first slip which put an end to Nadine de Klerk.
Fielding Effort Hardly Tested
The English fielding display – regularly watched closely currently – was hardly challenged here. Conversely it was South Africa who missed the opportunity to dismiss Jones early on, while Masabata Klaas put down a straightforward return catch offered by Jones on 31 – the Proteas' prime opportunity of securing a breakthrough. Rather, Jones continued to loft the ball through the off-side, concluding remaining on 40. World Cup cricket has never been so easy.
