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With an emphatic opener to their campaign, England secured a resounding 10-wicket triumph on Friday, subsequent to bowling out their opponents for a meager 69 runs in just 20.4 overs – marking the third smallest total in their record.

Unexpected Display from the Proteas

Despite the Proteas being a formidable presence in global women’s cricket of late, following their the championship match of the T20 World Cup last year and appearing in the penultimate round of the previous 50-over tournament, this performance was baffling and disappointing. Only one player, keeper Sinalo Jafta, managed double figures, and multiple of their hitters were dismissed bowled on a decent pitch that seldom acted erratically.

The English Dominant Reply

In reply, England’s new-look opening partnership of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones wasted no time of the pursuit, finishing the contest with 215 balls to spare – England's opening World Cup success earned in just under three hours. Maybe of greater significance in what may prove a tight group stage tournament, the English net run rate is now a more-than-healthy 3.77.

Bowling Effort Establishes the Standard

Subsequent to the English team took the toss and inserted South Africa, Linsey Smith’s opening spell established dominance, the left-arm spinner recording a outstanding return of 4-2-7-3 in her first ever 50-over World Cup game. She claimed a clever return catch to see off South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt, before floating the ball in to rattle the stumps Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Skipper’s Ideal Reappearance

Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt came on as first bowling change and enjoyed a perfect reappearance to international bowling attack, catching Anneke Bosch leg-before with her initial delivery since January’s Ashes series. In her next over, Chloe Tryon offered a weak chance to Alice Capsey at mid-on, as South Africa slumped to 38 for six within the initial 11 overs.

In light of Sciver-Brunt’s gradual comeback to bowling readiness over the last nine months, there had been some debate as to what quantity of overs she would handle in this game, with the team opting to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb partly to guarantee there were alternative bowling resources.

Efficient Finish

But a short stint were enough of Sciver-Brunt: a partnership of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean neatly dispatched the Proteas' remaining batters. Heather Knight, coming back after a long battle with a muscle issue, looked ready: she was not required with the batting on this instance, but grabbed a reflex shoulder-height catch at first slip which put an end to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Under Challenged

The English fielding effort – frequently under the spotlight nowadays – was scarcely tested here. Conversely it was South Africa who fumbled the possibility to dismiss Jones early on, while Masabata Klaas dropped a straightforward self-taken opportunity offered by Jones on 31 – the Proteas' best chance of taking a dismissal. Rather, Jones continued to hit the ball down the ground, finishing remaining on 40. World Cup cricket has rarely been this simple.