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In a stunning opener to their campaign, England clinched a resounding 10-wicket victory 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 annals.

Shocking Performance from South Africa

Despite the Proteas having been a formidable presence in world women's cricket recently, after reaching the final of the short-format World Cup last year and appearing in the semi-finals of the last 50-over tournament, this display was puzzling and humiliating. Only one batter, wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta, reached double figures, and half a dozen of their batters were bowled out on a decent pitch that rarely acted inconsistently.

England’s Overpowering Chase

Responding, the English fresh starting duo of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones quickly finished of the target, finishing the contest with a huge number to spare – England's first World Cup victory earned in less than three hours. Maybe of greater significance in what might be a tight preliminary competition, the English net run rate is now a more-than-healthy 3.77.

Bowling Effort Establishes the Standard

After England called correctly and put in South Africa, Linsey Smith’s initial overs laid the foundation, the slow left-armer posting a remarkable figures of 4-2-7-3 in her first ever 50-over World Cup game. She took a clever return catch to dismiss the captain Laura Wolvaardt, before drifting the ball in to bowl Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Captain’s Dream Return

Leader Nat Sciver-Brunt came on as first bowling change and had a perfect comeback to elite bowling, catching Anneke Bosch LBW with her first ball since the Ashes series. In her following over, Chloe Tryon offered a tame leading edge to Alice Capsey at mid-on, as the Proteas slumped to 38 for six within the opening 11 overs.

Given Sciver-Brunt’s measured return to bowling form over the previous nine months, there had been questions as to how many overs she might manage in this match, with the team opting to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb partly to ensure there were alternative bowling options.

Precise Wrap-up

But a short stint were all that was required of Sciver-Brunt: a combination of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean neatly finished off the Proteas' tail. Heather Knight, coming back after a extended battle with a leg problem, looked raring to go: she was unneeded with the bat on this instance, but grabbed a quick shoulder-height grab at the slips which ended the innings to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Hardly Examined

The English fielding effort – so often scrutinized currently – was hardly examined here. Rather it was the opposition who missed the chance to remove Jones early on, while Masabata Klaas dropped a easy caught and bowled chance proffered up by Jones on 31 – South Africa’s top opening of securing a wicket. On the contrary, Jones continued to loft the ball straight, concluding unbeaten on 40. World Cup cricket has rarely been this straightforward.