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England thump South Africa in one-sided affair to start off Women's World Cup with a bang

Soumyajit Dutta

Linsey Smith stars with the ball as England Women register campaign opener win [Source: @ECBkoko/X.com]Linsey Smith stars with the ball as England Women register campaign opener win [Source: @ECBkoko/X.com]

It is only the fourth ODI in the Women's World Cup 2025, and the pressure is already mounting. The clash on October 3 saw England Women and South Africa Women face each other for the first time in the tournament, with England playing their campaign opener. 

However, it was marked by a disastrous collapse from South Africa Women, who batted first at Baraspara Stadium in Guwahati after losing the toss to England. Their innings saw a dramatic collapse, managing just 69 runs in 21 overs, making the chase easy for England Women. Here's how things unfolded in Guwahati.

Linsey Smith shines with the ball to write Proteas' fate

Coming into bat first, South Africa Women captain Laura Wolvaardt was dismissed on the second ball of the second over. Tazmin Brits and Sune Luus, alongside Marizanne Kapp, soon followed, leaving South Africa Women reeling at 19 for 4 wickets at the end of 6 overs. 

With the top order gone early, the only notable partnership came between Anneke Bosch and Sinalo Jafta for the 5th wicket, where Jafta scored 22 runs off 36 balls to push South Africa Women's total to 69. The lower order also crumbled quickly. 

Orchestrating this collapse was England's spin ace Linsey Smith, who took 3 wickets for just 7 runs in her 4 overs. Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt contributed with a 2-wicket haul, alongside Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean, who also picked up 2 wickets each.

Cake walk chase for Tamy and Amy

The chase was a walk in the park for England openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, though the duo took their time to finish the game in 14.1 overs. Amy Jones scored 40 runs off 50 balls, while Beaumont made 21 off 35 balls. Both remained unbeaten to seal the victory, with Beaumont hitting the winning runs off a good-length delivery. 

With this win, England Women registered their maiden victory in this edition of the Women's World Cup. On the bowling front, South Africa Women struggled, failing to take a single wicket, with the most expensive bowler being Chloe Lesleigh Tryon, who conceded 17 runs in her 3-over spell.