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Through a powerful start to their campaign, the English side achieved a decisive 10-wicket victory on Friday, after bowling out their opponents for a meager 69 runs in only 20.4 overs – constituting the third smallest total in the South African record.

Surprising Collapse from South Africa

Despite South Africa having been a strong team in international women's cricket recently, having reached the final of the short-format World Cup last year and appearing in the semi-finals of the last 50-over tournament, this showing was baffling and disappointing. Just a single hitter, keeper Sinalo Jafta, managed double figures, and six of their hitters were dismissed bowled on a fair pitch that rarely acted unpredictably.

England’s Dominant Chase

In reply, England’s fresh opening pair of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones made short work of the target, finishing the match with 215 balls left – their initial World Cup success secured in less than three hours. Possibly more importantly in what may prove a close round-robin tournament, the English net run rate is now a more-than-healthy 3.77.

Bowling Sets the Standard

Subsequent to England won the toss and put in the opposition, Linsey Smith’s starting burst established dominance, the left-arm spinner posting a remarkable performance of 4-2-7-3 in her debut 50-over World Cup game. She claimed a smart caught and bowled to dismiss the captain Laura Wolvaardt, before drifting the ball in to bowl Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Captain’s Perfect Comeback

Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt came on as first bowling change and had a dream reappearance to top-level bowling duties, catching Anneke Bosch LBW with her first ball since the Ashes series. In her next over, Chloe Tryon sent up a soft catch 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 measured return to bowling form over the last nine months, there had been discussion as to the number of overs she would handle in this game, with the team deciding to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb in part to make sure there were back-up bowling resources.

Clinical Finish

Yet three overs were all that was required of Sciver-Brunt: a combination of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean neatly finished off the Proteas' lower order. Heather Knight, making a comeback after a long battle with a muscle issue, looked eager: she was not needed with the batting on this occasion, but took a sharp mid-level grab at first slip which ended the innings to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Barely Challenged

The English fielding effort – frequently scrutinized these days – was barely examined here. Instead it was the opposition who fumbled the possibility to dismiss Jones in the early stages, while Masabata Klaas missed a easy caught and bowled chance offered by Jones on 31 – the Proteas' prime opportunity of securing a wicket. Rather, Jones continued to loft the ball through the off-side, ending not out on 40. International play has rarely been this simple.