With an emphatic opener to their campaign, the English side secured a resounding 10-wicket victory on Friday, after dismissing South Africa for a paltry 69 runs in merely 20.4 overs – representing the third lowest total in their history.
Shocking Display from South Africa
Despite South Africa being a powerful presence in world women's cricket lately, following their the championship match of the short-format World Cup last year and featuring in the semi-finals of the last 50-over tournament, this performance was baffling and humiliating. Only one player, keeper Sinalo Jafta, reached double figures, and multiple of their players were clean bowled on a good pitch that seldom behaved erratically.
England’s Commanding Chase
Answering, the English revamped starting duo of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones made short work of the target, wrapping up the game with 215 balls to spare – England's initial World Cup win achieved in less than three hours. Possibly even more critical in what may prove a close round-robin tournament, the English net run rate is now a more-than-healthy 3.77.
Bowling Effort Sets the Pace
Subsequent to England took the toss and chose to bowl South Africa, Linsey Smith’s initial overs set the tone, the left-arm spinner achieving a remarkable figures of 4-2-7-3 in her maiden 50-over World Cup match. She claimed a sharp caught and bowled to remove the captain Laura Wolvaardt, before floating the ball in to hit the wickets Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.
Captain’s Ideal Comeback
Leader Nat Sciver-Brunt brought herself on as first bowling change and enjoyed a perfect return to top-level bowling, catching Anneke Bosch plumb in front with her first ball since the Ashes series. In her subsequent over, Chloe Tryon sent up a tame leading edge to Alice Capsey at mid-on, as South Africa sunk to 38 for six within the opening 11 overs.
Considering Sciver-Brunt’s measured return to bowling readiness over the last nine months, there had been discussion as to what quantity of overs she could bowl in this fixture, with the team choosing to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb partly to ensure there were reserve bowling resources.
Efficient Finish
Yet a brief spell were enough of Sciver-Brunt: a duo of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean neatly wrapped up the South African lower order. Heather Knight, making a comeback after a lengthy struggle with a hamstring injury, looked raring to go: she was not required with the batting duties on this instance, but did hold onto a sharp mid-level catch at slip which brought an end to Nadine de Klerk.
Fielding Performance Under Challenged
England’s fielding effort – frequently watched closely these days – was hardly examined here. Conversely it was South Africa who missed the opportunity to dismiss Jones early on, while Masabata Klaas dropped a straightforward self-taken opportunity proffered up by Jones on 31 – the Proteas' top opening of taking a dismissal. Instead, Jones kept on to hit the ball down the ground, ending remaining on 40. International the game has never been this straightforward.
