England's Women Triumph Over South Africa in World Cup Opener

Guwahati, Oct 3 (PTI) - In a commanding display led by the skillful spin of Linsey Smith, England's women's cricket team defeated South Africa by 10 wickets, kicking off their ICC Women's World Cup campaign in superb fashion on Friday.

England's bowlers, spearheaded by Smith, dismantled the South African lineup, dismissing them for a meager 69 runs, leaving the outcome of the match clear well before the end. Smith's impressive figures of 3/7 set the tone for the victory.

The English openers, Amy Jones (40) and Tammy Beaumont (21), made quick work of the chase, sealing the win in just 14.1 overs without any major hurdles.

Although there was some movement and grip available for the bowlers in South Africa's innings, the English batters stayed composed, avoiding any mishaps.

Veteran South African pacer Marizanne Kapp delivered a few remarkable deliveries, especially to Beaumont, but the total was insurmountable, despite her valiant efforts.

The real stars of the match were England's spinners — Smith, along with Sophie Ecclestone (2/19) and Charlie Dean (2/14), who laid the groundwork for a simple chase by their batting lineup.

Left-arm spinner Smith shone brightly with her three-wicket haul, contributing to South Africa's second lowest total in their Women's World Cup history.

Electing to field on a pitch that offered some assistance to the bowlers, England introduced Smith into the attack in the second over, a decision that paid dividends immediately.

Smith made an early breakthrough, dismissing South African captain Laura Wolvaardt with a simple return catch off the second ball of her spell.

She returned to remove Tazmin Brits in the fourth over, and claimed the prize wicket of Kapp in the sixth over with a delivery that dismantled the stumps.

Meanwhile, pacer Lauren Bell contributed by removing Sune Luus, leaving South Africa struggling at 19 for four within the first six overs, a blow from which they never recovered.

With top-order batters like Kapp, Luus, and Brits back in the pavilion early, the burden fell heavily on South Africa's middle order, but they faltered under pressure and in the face of a slightly sluggish pitch and disciplined English bowling.

England's captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (2/5) also played her part in tightening the screws on South Africa, scalping the wickets of Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk, extinguishing any hopes of a fightback.

Sinalo Jafta was the only South African batter to score in double digits, with a valiant 22-run knock, preventing her side from hitting their lowest ever Women's World Cup total, which remains 51.

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