Dominant English side Demolish Proteas in World Cup First Match

Women's Cricket World Cup, Guwahati

Proteas 69 (20.4 overs): Jafta 22 (36); Smith 3-7

England 73-0 (14.1 overs): Opener 40* (50), Partner 21* (35)

The English won by 10 wickets

England dismissed the Proteas for just 69 as they made a winning start to their global tournament campaign with a dominant 10-wicket thrashing in the host city.

Left-arm spinner Smith was the standout performer with 3-7, claiming the prized wickets of captain, in-form opener Tazmin Brits and star all-rounder.

Sinalo Jafta was the only batter to reach double figures in a dismal batting performance which saw the Proteas bundled out for their one of their lowest scores in just 20.4 overs.

Skipper Sciver-Brunt took two wickets in her return to bowling since a major series, while spinners Ecclestone and Dean also claimed two each.

Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont then cruised to their target in just over 14 overs, having begun carefully on a difficult pitch, ending on their respective scores.

After the Ashes demolition and losses against a strong opponent, the team needed a positive beginning to their key tournament under fresh captaincy.

They delivered with a statement win, overwhelming the opposition which was magnificently set up by the spinner leading the way, and the rest followed suit.

Bell had the unenviable task of starting the attack in high humidity and conceded a couple of boundaries, but Smith immediately dragged things back as Wolvaardt returned a simple catch.

She was relentless with her consistency and was rewarded by dismissing the key batter and star all-rounder Kapp with deliveries that beat the bat.

There was a question mark over Sciver-Brunt bowling fitness, but she immediately silenced those doubts with a batter trapped lbw.

The Proteas only managed a handful of scoring shots, three of them to Jafta, but their hopes ended when de Klerk was well caught at slip.

South Africa's performance was suggestive of an inconsistent batting surface, but England's openers showed careful approach to demonstrate scoring was feasible.

Pursuing a small target meant that their scoring rate would be boosted irrespective of how hard they attacked, and there were minimal chances as they faced the experienced Kapp.

Occasional bowler the all-rounder opened from the other end, suggesting that South Africa were realizing an error with their team choice.

Jones and Beaumont paired again and began strongly with consistent partnerships earlier, so a 10-wicket win is a welcome boost of confidence for the duo.

Beaumont was a little scratchy, far from her fluent best on the tricky pitch, but she was able to control her aggression by keeping the scoreboard ticking.

With India and Australia as top contenders, it is probable that the rest of the group stages will see key teams battling for knockout places.

England spinner and top performer Linsey Smith: "I'm very pleased with how we did. Starting the attack was a tough challenge but the conditions suited me and I am proud I did well."

"We have great ability in the squad. We all offer different parts of the game so we can keep learning and growing as a unit."

Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt: "Very happy. Everyone was fully focused in the field. A few first ball wickets as well. A ideal scenario."

"She stuck to her strengths. She can swing the ball and we knew she was a good match-up. It was very important to break that opening partnership."

South Africa captain Wolvaardt: "This isn't how we wanted to start the tournament."

"Not our best work with the bat but we have not changed overnight. We have shown resilience before and we will put this behind us."