SA-W Vs ENG-W Highlights, ODI World Cup 2025: England Complete Comfortable Opening Win By 10 Wickets

England Women Squad: Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones(w), Nat Sciver-Brunt(c), Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell, Em Arlott, Sarah Glenn, Alice Capsey, Emma Lamb

South Africa Women Squad: Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta(w), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Sune Luus, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Karabo Meso

England Women have won the toss and have opted to field

England Women (Playing XI): Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones(w), Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt(c), Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell

South Africa Women (Playing XI): Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta(w), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

Big breakthrough for England! Linsey Smith strikes in just her second ball, getting South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt caught and bowled off a leading edge. A huge early blow, with Wolvaardt walking back cheaply. England have begun with excellent discipline and are right on top in the opening exchanges.

South Africa are in deep trouble! First, Bell gets Sune Luus with a peach, full and tailing in to knock back off stump. Then Linsey Smith strikes again, this time castling Marizanne Kapp with classic drift that sneaks past the defence. England’s bowlers are running riot in Guwahati, leaving SA’s top order in tatters at 22-4.

England tighten the noose further! Nat Sciver-Brunt traps Anneke Bosch plumb in front, pinned on the knee roll while walking across. No review needed, it was crashing into middle and leg. South Africa sink deeper at 32-5, with England absolutely rampant. Now the challenge only grows as world No.1 spinner Sophie Ecclestone enters the attack.

Nat Sciver-Brunt is on a roll! She bags her second as Chloe Tryon departs cheaply, miscuing a leading edge straight to Alice Capsey at mid-on. Another soft dismissal and South Africa are now six down just after the powerplay. With only Sinalo Jafta left to offer some resistance, SA-W are staring at a long road back. England’s dominance in this contest has been absolute so far.

Charlie Dean joins the party! She fizzes one through on a length, Klaas plays for turn that never comes, and the ball crashes into off stump. South Africa’s collapse deepens to 60-8, with no partnership in sight. Only Sinalo Jafta, unbeaten on 22, has shown any resistance, while England’s bowlers have been exceptional in exploiting every weakness.

A forgettable outing for South Africa ends in a mere 69, their second-lowest total in Women’s ODI World Cup history. They never found rhythm, undone by England’s relentless discipline and skill with the ball. Only Sinalo Jafta (22) managed double figures, as wickets kept tumbling around her. England, aggressive and brilliant in the field, couldn’t have asked for a better start to their campaign. They now need just 70 runs to seal a dream opening win.

Lauren Bell’s reaction

"What a start that was! Linsey set the tone and every bowler did their job. We couldn’t be happier with that start.Linsey is such a skilful player and swings the new ball so I think she’ll be really important for us moving forward.The pitch was pretty skiddy and the spinners bowled well, but hopefully… we’ve restricted them to a pretty good score! It’s a dream start and I don’t think we could be much happier."

England make a brisk start to the chase of 70. Openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones look in control, picking off boundaries early to keep the scoreboard moving. With the required rate never an issue, this is already shaping into a comfortable pursuit.

The chase looks like a formality now. England’s openers are untroubled, rotating the strike calmly and inching closer to the modest 70-run target. South Africa’s bowlers have found no breakthroughs, and the result already feels like a matter of time.

England edge closer to a statement win. Just 15 needed now, with Beaumont and Jones unbroken in a commanding opening stand. Notably, England hadn’t won their opening game in the last three World Cups, this will be their first such start in over a decade. A dominant performance all round.

England win by 10 wickets A ruthless start to the campaign for England! Chasing just 70, they storm home with all ten wickets intact and more than 35 overs to spare. Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones ensured there were no hiccups, sealing a thumping victory after the bowlers had dismantled South Africa for 69. A dream opening win, breaking their streak of losing World Cup openers in the last three editions.

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