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With an emphatic start to their campaign, England clinched a decisive 10-wicket triumph on the opening day, following bowling out South Africa for a low 69 runs in merely 20.4 overs – representing the third lowest total in their record.

Unexpected Display from South Africa

Although South Africa being a formidable presence in global the women's game of late, following their the final of the T20 tournament last year and making the penultimate round of the most recent 50-over competition, this showing was confusing and embarrassing. Only one player, keeper Sinalo Jafta, attained double figures, and multiple of their players were bowled out on a good pitch that rarely played unpredictably.

The English Overpowering Chase

Answering, England’s new-look opening pair of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones wasted no time of the pursuit, finishing the game with over 35 overs remaining – England's opening World Cup success earned in just under three hours. Possibly of greater significance in what may prove a competitive group stage event, England’s net run rate is now a excellent 3.77.

Attack Establishes the Standard

After England called correctly and put in the opposition, Linsey Smith’s opening spell set the tone, the spin bowler posting a remarkable return of 4-2-7-3 in her first ever 50-over World Cup fixture. She took a smart caught and bowled to remove the captain Laura Wolvaardt, before floating the ball in to rattle the stumps Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Skipper’s Dream Return

Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt brought herself on as first bowling change and enjoyed a perfect reappearance to elite bowling, catching Anneke Bosch LBW with her initial delivery since the Ashes series. In her subsequent over, Chloe Tryon presented a soft chance to Alice Capsey at mid-on, as South Africa slumped to 38 for six within the first 11 overs.

Considering Sciver-Brunt’s slow comeback to bowling readiness over the previous nine months, there had been some debate as to how many overs she might manage in this match, with the team deciding to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb partly to ensure there were back-up bowling options.

Efficient Finish

However a short stint were sufficient of Sciver-Brunt: a partnership of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean effectively wrapped up the South African tail. Heather Knight, coming back after a lengthy fight with a muscle issue, looked eager: she was unneeded with the batting on this instance, but took a reflex mid-level grab at slip which brought an end to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Performance Hardly Examined

The English fielding effort – regularly under the spotlight nowadays – was hardly tested here. Instead it was the opposition who bungled the chance to remove Jones in the early stages, while Masabata Klaas missed a straightforward caught and bowled chance proffered up by Jones on 31 – the Proteas' best chance of securing a breakthrough. On the contrary, Jones continued to hit the ball down the ground, concluding not out on 40. International cricket has seldom been this straightforward.