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Linsey Smith and Nat Sciver-Brunt Run Riot
The Proteas skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, literally had no idea what was to follow after the English skipper, Nat Sciver-Brunt, won the toss and opted to field first. South Africa seemed like they were unable to calm and settle those early nerves of an ODI World Cup in India. The South African in-form openers, Tazmin Brits and skipper Laura Wolvaardt, got off to a confident start, smashing a boundary each to Lauren Bell, taking 9 runs in the first over.

Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt pulled out a smart move with the introduction of the left-arm spinner in Linsey Smith, who made her ODI World Cup debut to share the new ball with Lauren Bell. The presence of nerves was clearly visible in their lack of foot movement. It eventually made their worst nightmares of a lifetime on a cricket field come true, that too in their ODI World Cup campaign opener.

Linsey Smith not only bowled a maiden, but also ensured the departure of the opposition skipper, Laura Wolvaart, by grabbing a clean return catch to provide the first breakthrough for England in the 2nd over of the innings. It didn’t take long for the South African batting card to look like a telephone number, courtesy of an exceptional display of relentless accuracy in line and length from the England new ball bowlers.

The Proteas lost half their side inside the powerplay, managing just 38 runs on the board. Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt had a dream return to bowling at the international level, returning with match figures (3-1-5-2) in her spell with the ball for her side. The experienced wicket-keeper batter Sinalo Jafta showed some character and the desire to battle through the storm and stay out there at the crease and keep their hopes alive for a respectable total on the board.

However, Jafta’s (22 off 36 balls) resilient stay at the crease was ended by another left-arm spinner in Sophie Ecclestone, in the 18th over of the innings, providing the 9th breakthrough for her side. South Africa were eventually bundled out for 69 in just the 21st over of the innings. It is also their 3rd lowest total in the ODI format, and the 2nd lowest at the ODI World Cup.

Linsey Smith (4-2-7-3), Sophie Ecclestone (6-2-19-2), Charlie Dean (3.4-0-14-2), and Lauren Bell (4-0-24-1) were responsible for dismantling a promising South African batting lineup.

Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones make light work of the run chase
Defending the low total of 70, the body language of the South African unit looked understandably down and out, probably still processing their batting innings. It even reflected in their bowling performance. The experienced all-rounder Marizanne Kapp was yet again impressive in her spell (4-0-13-0).

The England openers, Tammy Beaumont (21* off 35 balls) and wicket-keeper batter Amy Jones (40* off 50 balls), eventually eased into the run chase and guided their side over the line with an unbeaten 73-run opening stand, just in the 15th over of the run chase, to bag their first win of the tournament by 10 wickets. The emphatic margin of victory has skyrocketed the net run rate to +3.77, sitting pretty at the top of the table. On the other hand, a massive dent for South Africa.

Linsey Smith was awarded the Player of the Match for cracking the game wide open for England with her probing spell inside the power play.