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With an emphatic opener to their tournament, England achieved a comprehensive 10-wicket win on Friday, after dismissing their opponents for a paltry 69 runs in only 20.4 overs – marking the third poorest total in the South African annals.

Surprising Collapse from the Proteas

Although South Africa having been a powerful team in world the women's game recently, after reaching the title decider of the T20 World Cup last year and featuring in the semi-finals of the last 50-over tournament, this showing was confusing and humiliating. Just a single batter, gloveman Sinalo Jafta, reached double figures, and six of their batters were bowled out on a good pitch that infrequently played unpredictably.

England’s Overpowering Chase

Answering, England’s fresh opening pair of Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones made short work of the target, completing the contest with a huge number remaining – England's first World Cup victory achieved in less than three hours. Perhaps of greater significance in what might be a close preliminary event, the English net run rate is now a impressive 3.77.

Attack Defines the Standard

Following the English team took the toss and inserted the opposition, Linsey Smith’s starting burst set the tone, the slow left-armer posting a outstanding performance of 4-2-7-3 in her maiden 50-over World Cup game. She grabbed a sharp return catch to remove South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt, before floating the ball in to bowl Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp.

Skipper’s Perfect Return

Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt introduced herself as initial replacement and experienced a perfect return to top-level bowling attack, dismissing Anneke Bosch LBW with her first ball since the Ashes series. In her next over, Chloe Tryon sent up a tame chance to Alice Capsey at mid-on, as South Africa sunk to 38 for six within the first 11 overs.

In light of Sciver-Brunt’s gradual return to bowling fitness over the previous nine months, there had been some debate as to the number of overs she could bowl in this fixture, with the team opting to play both Capsey and Emma Lamb to some extent to make sure there were back-up bowling options.

Precise Finish

But three overs were sufficient of Sciver-Brunt: a partnership of Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean neatly dispatched the Proteas' tail. Heather Knight, returning after a long battle with a hamstring injury, looked eager: she was unneeded with the batting duties on this instance, but did hold onto a reflex shoulder-height catch at slip which ended the innings to Nadine de Klerk.

Fielding Barely Challenged

England’s fielding – frequently under the spotlight currently – was barely challenged here. Rather it was the opposition who missed the chance to remove Jones at the start, while Masabata Klaas missed a simple self-taken opportunity offered by Jones on 31 – the Proteas' prime opportunity of securing a dismissal. On the contrary, Jones kept on to drive the ball straight, finishing remaining on 40. Elite play has rarely been this simple.