England’s captain Nat Sciver-Brunt celebrates with teammates after taking a wicket through the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 ODI match between South Africa and England, at ACA Stadium, Barsapara, in Guwahati, on October 3, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Even earlier than the South Africans might determine out what hit them, their innings was over. It was throughout in simply 20.4 overs, and all they may make was 69.
The Englishwomen chased the modest goal down in 14.1 overs with out dropping a wicket, to open their World Cup marketing campaign in emphatic vogue on the Baraspara Cricket Stadium right here on Friday.
They had as excellent a day they may have hoped for. Their captain Nat Sciver-Brunt received the toss, and selected to bowl. They had picked three spinners, and considered one of them bought into the thick of motion very quickly.
Linsey Smith got here on to bowl the second over of the innings. With her second ball, the left-armer eliminated South Africa’s skipper Laura Wolvaardt.
The forefront off an tried drive was caught by Smith off her personal bowling. Thus one half of the world’s most profitable opening partnership was again within the dressing room. The different half would observe quickly.
Smith was chargeable for it, too. She bought the primary ball of her second over to float in via Tazmin Brits’s gate and hit the leg stump. And Brits had come to this match after scoring tons of in every of her final three ODIs.
In the subsequent over, Lauren Bell moved the ball in simply sufficient to knock off Sunu Luus’s off stump. The following over noticed South Africa’s most skilled campaigner Marizanne Kapp’s defensive bat being crushed by Smith, who disturbed the center stump. The Proteas slid to 19 for 4.
It was certainly a dream spell from Smith who had made her ODI debut simply 4 months in the past. She was properly supported the opposite bowlers, with Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean claiming two wickets every. The solely South African batter to get to the double figures was wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta who lasted as many as 36 balls — fairly a feat — for her 22.
England openers Tammy Beaumont (21 not out) and Amy Jones (40 not out, 50b, 6×4) took their group residence with none fuss.
And sure, a T20 match would have lasted longer.
The scores: South Africa 69 in 20.4 overs (Linsey Smith 3/7) misplaced to England 73 for no wicket in 14.1 overs (Amy Jones 40 n.o.). Toss: England; PoM: Smith.
Published – October 03, 2025 06:10 pm IST