New Delhi: Four-time champions England got their campaign off to a flying start as they thrashed South Africa by 10 wickets in their first women’s World Cup match in Guwahati on Friday. After bowling them out for 69 runs, their second-lowest total in tournament history, English women chased the below-par total in just 14.1 overs.
Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones played unbeaten knocks of 21 and 40 runs to guide the team home with absolute ease. Defending one of their lowest totals in history, the Proteas women seemed to be not putting much effort with the ball as it required miracle to defend such a small score. South Africa used as many as five bowlers in the second innings but they were of no use.
English bowlers shine
Linsey Smith, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean all proved to be the pick of the bowlers in the English side snapping quick wickets to dismiss the South Africa women for a paltry score of 69 in 20.4 overs. While Smith was the highest wicket-taker with three scalps, rest of the bowlers picked up two wickets apiece.
Lauren Bell, though proving to be a bit expensive by giving away 24 runs, also claimed a wicket to contribute in the devastation. Wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta was the only player from the South Africa side to get to a double digit score of 22 runs while the rest of the batters could only score single digit runs.