Even Laura Wolvaardt’s worst nightmare for their World Cup opener couldn’t have been more horrifying than the reality that unfolded for South Africa. Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith, who opened the bowling for England, set the tone from the word go in a comprehensive 10-wicket victory against South Africa in Guwahati on Friday at the ICC Women’s World Cup. Only Sinalo Jafta made a score in the double figures for the Proteas, with 22, as the three-time champions split the wickets between them. The second-highest contribution to South Africa’s total of 69 came via extras – 8 wides. In response, Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont chased down their modest target of 70 in just 14.1 overs.
England’s spin trio of Linsey Smith, Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean took seven wickets between them in England’s 10-wicket win over South Africa. In a repeat of the 2017 and 2022 semi-finals, England were instantly on the front foot as captain Wolvaardt was caught and bowled by Smith for five. Her fellow opener Tazmin Brits departed for the same score as Smith’s second victim with former skipper Sune Luus being clean bowled by Lauren Bell for two.
Marizanne Kapp departed for four as she became Smith’s third wicket and South Africa slipped to 19 for four. Anneke Bosch and Jafta provided some resistance, but England continued to chip away as Nat Sciver-Brunt took two wickets, with Ecclestone following suit with two wicket maidens as she dismissed Jafta. With her fellow spinners impressing, it took a little while for Dean to be brought into the attack, but the off-break bowler soon made an impact with the final two wickets to see South Africa bowled out for their second lowest total at a World Cup.
England had all the time in the world to chase down their target of 70 runs, which meant openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones were cautious. Kapp’s bowling rhythm was perhaps the only positive to take away for the 2023 and 2024 T20 World Cup finalists, who have now opened this edition with a Net Run Rate of -3.773
While South Africa had struggled to deal with England’s spinners, Jones and Beaumont were able to work steady boundaries off Tryon. Masabata Klaas dropped a catch off her own bowling as Jones survived on 31, eventually posting 40 from 50 balls with Beaumont making 21 from 35.
South Africa’s top order came into the World Cup with good form behind them but once they lost Wolvaardt and Brits early, they were always on the back foot. “Not the way we would have wanted to start the tournament. Not our best work with the bat. We have not become a bad batting team overnight. Team has shown a lot of resilience in the past, want to put this behind us. They bowled really well with the new ball. Linsey was excellent. We did not expect that much swing, but could have played straighter lines,” Wolvaardt said after the match.
For Sciver-Brunt, the day couldn’t have gone much better. The England captain’s return to bowling, and being among wickets right away, is a massive boost, as it allows the side to play an extra spinner. “Massively pleased. Everyone was on it in the field. Had a few first-ball wickets as well, so it was a captain’s dream,” the allrounder said.
South Africa 69 all out in 20.4 overs (Sinalo Jafta 22, Anneke Bosch 6; Linsey Smith 3/7, Nat Sciver-Brunt 2/5)
England 73/0 in 14.1 overs (Amy Jones 40 not out, Tammy Beaumont 21 not out; Nonkululeko Mlaba 0/9, Marizanne Kapp 0/13)
Result: England win by 10 wickets
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