Commanding English side Thrash Proteas in Global Tournament First Match

ICC Women's World Cup, Guwahati

Proteas 69 (20.4 overs): Top scorer 22 (36); Smith 3-7

English team 73-0 (14.1 overs): Opener 40* (50), Beaumont 21* (35)

England won by a perfect margin

The English side dismissed the Proteas for just 69 as they began their campaign victoriously to their Women's World Cup campaign with a dominant comprehensive victory in the host city.

Left-arm spinner Smith was the pick of the bowlers with 3-7, dismissing key batters of Laura Wolvaardt, top-order batter Brits and star all-rounder.

Jafta was the sole player to score above ten in a poor display which saw South Africa dismissed for their third-lowest ODI total in just 20.4 overs.

Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt took two wickets in her first competitive bowling spell since a major series, while spinners Ecclestone and Dean also claimed two each.

Jones and Beaumont then easily chased the total in 14.1 overs, having begun carefully on a difficult pitch, finishing with their respective scores.

After the Ashes demolition and series defeats against a strong opponent, England needed a positive beginning to their first major challenge under new leadership.

They responded emphatically, overwhelming the opposition which was magnificently set up by Smith setting the tone, and the rest followed suit.

The pace bowler had the unenviable task of starting the attack in high humidity and conceded a couple of boundaries, but the spinner quickly regained control as the captain returned a simple catch.

She was unwavering in accuracy and was successful by bowling the key batter and star all-rounder Kapp with balls that drifted through their defences.

There was a question mark over the captain's bowling fitness, but she quickly dispelled concerns with a batter trapped lbw.

The Proteas only managed six boundaries, three of them to Jafta, but their hopes ended when de Klerk was well caught at slip.

South Africa's performance was suggestive of an inconsistent batting surface, but England's openers showed careful approach to prove that runs were possible.

Pursuing a small target meant that their net run-rate would be boosted regardless of how aggressively they played, and there were very few risks taken as they faced the experienced Kapp.

Occasional bowler the all-rounder opened from the other end, suggesting that South Africa were realizing an error with their team choice.

The opening pair paired again and began strongly with consistent partnerships earlier, so a 10-wicket win is a welcome boost of confidence for the duo.

She was a little scratchy, below her usual standard on the tricky pitch, but she was able to rein in her attacking instincts by keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Given strong opponents as top contenders, it is probable that the remaining matches will see England, South Africa and New Zealand battling for knockout places.

England spinner and player of the match Linsey Smith: "I'm very pleased with how we did. Opening the bowling was a difficult task but the pitch helped me and I am proud I did well."

"There is huge talent in the squad. We all bring varied skills of the game so we can keep improving and developing as a unit."

England captain Sciver-Brunt: "Very happy. Everyone was really on it in the field. A early breakthroughs as well. A captain's dream."

"Linsey Smith stuck to her strengths. She can swing the ball and we knew she was a suitable choice. It was really crucial to break that opening partnership."

Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt: "It is not the way we wanted to begin the campaign."

"We underperformed with the bat but we have remained the same team. We have shown fighting spirit previously and we will move on quickly."