Guwahati, India – England delivered a statement of intent in their opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, achieving a crushing 10-wicket victory over South Africa on Friday. The match, held at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, saw the Proteas capitulate to their third-lowest total in One Day International history, being bowled out for a mere 69, before England’s openers comfortably chased down the target with 215 balls to spare. This commanding performance signals England’s strong ambitions for the tournament and marks a concerning start for South Africa.
South Africa’s Batting Collapse
After being sent in to bat, South Africa’s innings imploded spectacularly. The batting lineup struggled to find any rhythm against England’s disciplined bowling attack, folding for just 69 runs in 20.4 overs. This total is now etched in the record books as their third-lowest in women’s ODIs and their second-lowest in a World Cup campaign. Wicketkeeper batter Sinalo Jafta offered the lone resistance, scoring a gritty 22 runs off 36 balls, but found no substantial support from her teammates. Nine other South African batters failed to reach double figures, highlighting a collective failure to adapt to the conditions or counter England’s attack. The highest partnership of the innings was a mere 12 runs, underscoring the extent of the collapse.
Spinners and Swing Deliver for England
England’s bowlers were relentless from the outset, exploiting the conditions to perfection. Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith was the standout performer, delivering a spellbinding 4-2-7-3. Smith set the tone early, dismissing captain Laura Wolvaardt caught and bowled in the second over and following up by bowling Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp, reducing South Africa to a precarious 19/4.
Adding to South Africa’s woes, skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt contributed with two wickets for just five runs (2/5), dismantling the middle order. The spin-bowling trio was further bolstered by Sophie Ecclestone (2/19) and Charlie Dean (2/14), who picked up two wickets each, keeping the pressure on and ensuring wickets tumbled regularly. This collective bowling effort, which also saw contributions from Lauren Bell and Charlie Dean, kept South Africa from ever establishing a foothold in the match.
Effortless Chase Secures Dominant Victory
Chasing a modest target of 70 runs, England’s opening pair, Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont, showcased composure and clinical precision. They made light work of the chase, navigating the early overs with caution before accelerating to canter home in just 14.1 overs. Jones remained unbeaten on 40 from 50 balls, while Beaumont finished on 21 not out from 35 balls, completing a flawless 10-wicket victory. This dominant opening win is England’s third by 10 wickets in Women’s World Cup history and their fourth-largest win by balls remaining in the tournament. The comprehensive nature of the victory meant that veteran batter Heather Knight, playing her 150th ODI, did not need to bat or bowl.
Reaction and Looking Ahead
Linsey Smith was deservedly named Player of the Match for her match-turning spell. “To get that start was really special and we are delighted with how we went,” Smith commented, highlighting how conditions suited her bowling. England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt praised the team’s all-round performance, stating, “Everyone was really on it in the field… it all clicked into action for us”.
Despite the disheartening performance, South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt remained optimistic. “It was not our best day with the bat, but we haven’t become a bad batting unit overnight,” she said. “We still have a long tournament ahead of us and will look to put this loss behind us as quickly as we can”. The result is particularly surprising given South Africa’s strong form leading into the tournament, including a record 260-run partnership in a recent series, making their collapse more confounding.
This dominant opening performance from the United Kingdom’s England team sets a strong tone for their World Cup campaign and is the leading sports news for the day. They will look to carry this momentum into their next match against Bangladesh, while South Africa will aim to regroup and show the resilience they are known for. This victory, trending across sports news outlets, firmly establishes England as a formidable contender in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
