England dominate South Africa in opening World Cup match

England Women (73-0) beat South Africa Women (69ao) by 10 wickets.

England Women made a perfect start to their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup campaign, delivering a ruthless 10-wicket victory over South Africa in Guwahati, India.

Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith set the tone at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, striking twice in her opening two overs. She produced a sharp caught-and-bowled to remove South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt (5) before bowling Tazmin Brits (5) soon after.

Lauren Bell (1-24) added to the early pressure by dismissing Suné Luus (2), and Smith returned to claim the prized wicket of Marizanne Kapp (4). Her superb figures of 3 for 7 left South Africa reeling at 19-4 inside the powerplay — a spell that earned her Player of the Match.

The squeeze continued as Sophie Ecclestone (2-19) and England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (2-5) tightened the grip. Sciver-Brunt, back with the ball for the first time since the WPL final in March, struck with her very first delivery. Charlie Dean (2-14) then wrapped up the tail, dismissing South Africa for just 69 in the 21st over.

England’s chase was clinical. Openers Tammy Beaumont (21*) and Amy Jones (40*) were untroubled as they calmly knocked off the target in just 14.1 overs, sealing a dominant statement win to launch their campaign.

Please find audio from Linsey Smith's post match press conference HERE.

England's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Schedule 2025

Friday, 3 October: England Women v South Africa Women, Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati - England Women won by 10 wickets.

Tuesday, 7 October: England Women v Bangladesh Women, Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. 10:30BST.

Saturday, 11 October: England Women v Sri Lanka Women, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. 10:30BST.

Wednesday, 15 October: England Women v Pakistan Women, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. 10:30BST.

Sunday, 19 October: India Women v England Women, Holkar Stadium, Indore. 10:30BST.

Wednesday, 22 October: Australia Women v England Women, Holkar Stadium, Indore. 10:30BST.

Sunday, 26 October: England Women v New Zealand Women, Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. 05:30GMT.

Wednesday, 29 October: First Semi-Final, TBC. 09:30GMT.

Thursday, 30 October: Second Semi-Final, Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. 09:30GMT.

Sunday, 02 November: Final, TBC. 09:30GMT.