England’s bowlers tore through South Africa’s batting lineup on Friday, skittling them for a meagre 69 in the Women’s World Cup clash at Guwahati. It was a ruthless performance that left the Proteas with no answers and handed England a massive psychological edge going forward.
Linsey Smith was the pick of the attack, finishing with remarkable figures of 3 for 7 in just four overs. Her early strikes set the tone, dismantling South Africa’s top order before the batters had a chance to settle. Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean each added two wickets apiece, ensuring the collapse was complete well before the innings reached the halfway mark.
For South Africa, it was another batting nightmare. Captain Laura Wolvaardt was trapped cheaply, Tazmin Brits couldn’t get going, and wickets kept tumbling at alarming speed. Sinalo Jafta was the lone fighter, top-scoring with 22, but with little support around her, the total never climbed to anything competitive.
The final tally of 69 all out wasn’t just disappointing—it was historic for the wrong reasons. It marked South Africa’s second-lowest score in Women’s World Cup history, the lowest also inflicted by England back in 2013.
The English camp, meanwhile, looked delighted with their discipline and sharpness. “We just stuck to our plans and kept the pressure on. It was about bowling in the right areas and letting the pitch do the work,” said Smith after her match-winning spell.
With this emphatic display, England have made a statement early in the tournament. South Africa, on the other hand, will need a serious rethink about their batting approach if they hope to stay in contention.
