England give South Africa a 10-wicket drubbing

In what was a stunning collapse, South Africa were bowled out for 69 runs in 20.4 overs – the second lowest total in an ODI World Cup. It was horror from the get-go as Linsey Smith (3/7) set the tone with early breakthroughs with the new ball. The questionable footwork against the moving ball and poor shot selection unfolded in the innings that followed for South Africa.

In her first two overs, left-arm spinner Smith dismissed their main batter and captain Laura Wolvaardt for five. Smith, making her World Cup debut, was introduced early in the innings – a bit of a strategic change from England. Tazmin Brits, the in-form batter, was then beaten on the inside edge. From then, the nightmare began and ten South African batters fell for single-digit scores – six of them clean bowled – the joint-highest tally for any team in a Women’s World Cup.

After Smith, skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt (2/5) chipped in with key wickets of Anneke Bosch (6) and Chloe Tryon (2). Alongside Smith and Nat Scriver-Brunt, the likes of Sophie Ecclestone (2/19), Charlie Dean (2/14) and Lauren Bell (1/24) shared the spoils with the ball.