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Through a powerful opener to their campaign, England achieved a resounding 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 history.

Shocking Performance from South Africa

Although South Africa being a formidable force in world the women's game recently, having reached the final of the short-format World Cup last year and appearing in the last four of the most recent 50-over event, this performance was baffling and disappointing. Just a single batter, gloveman Sinalo Jafta, reached double figures, and multiple of their batters were dismissed bowled on a decent pitch that seldom behaved erratically.

The English Commanding Chase

In reply, England’s revamped opening partnership of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones quickly finished of the chase, finishing the contest with 215 balls remaining – England's first World Cup success secured in barely three hours. Perhaps more importantly in what might be a close round-robin tournament, the English net run rate is now a excellent 3.77.

Bowling Defines the Standard

Following England won the toss and inserted the opposition, Linsey Smith’s initial overs laid the foundation, the spin bowler recording a exceptional figures of 4-2-7-3 in her debut 50-over World Cup game. She took a clever self-taken catch to remove South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt, before turning the ball in to bowl Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Skipper’s Perfect Reappearance

Leader Nat Sciver-Brunt came on as first bowling change and had a ideal comeback to top-level bowling, trapping Anneke Bosch leg-before with her opening ball since January’s Ashes series. In her following over, Chloe Tryon presented a weak chance to Alice Capsey at midwicket, as South Africa slumped to 38 for six within the first 11 overs.

In light of Sciver-Brunt’s gradual return to bowling fitness over the past nine months, there had been some debate as to how many overs she would handle in this match, with the team choosing to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb in part to make sure there were alternative bowling cover.

Precise Finish

Yet a brief spell were enough of Sciver-Brunt: a partnership of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean efficiently wrapped up the South African tail. Heather Knight, coming back after a extended battle with a hamstring injury, looked ready: she was unneeded with the batting on this day, but did hold onto a quick mid-level chance at the slips which ended the innings to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Effort Under Examined

The English fielding effort – so often scrutinized currently – was barely tested here. Instead it was South Africa who bungled the opportunity to remove Jones early on, while Masabata Klaas put down a simple return catch offered by Jones on 31 – the Proteas' best chance of taking a dismissal. Rather, Jones persisted to loft the ball through the off-side, finishing not out on 40. Elite play has seldom been this simple.