Snehasis Mukherjee in Colombo
It was a nightmarish start for South Africa in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 as England handed them a crushing defeat in Guwahati.
After being bundled out for just 69 in 20.4 overs, the Proteas could only watch as Nat Sciver-Brunt’s side chased down the target in 14.1 overs without losing a wicket.
England’s plan was clear. They went with four spinners — Alice Capsey, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, and Charlie Dean — along with two pace options, Lauren Bell and skipper Sciver-Brunt. After winning the toss, they asked South Africa to bat, and their spin-heavy attack worked perfectly.
On her World Cup debut, Smith destroyed South Africa’s top order. She took three wickets, including skipper Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, and Marizanne Kapp. Ecclestone and Dean picked up two each. South Africa lost seven wickets to spin and the other three to pace. Bell struck once, while Sciver-Brunt chipped in with two.
It was a horrible outing for the South African batters. The ball was gripping, but poor shot selection and attempts to play against the spin made things worse.
This was South Africa’s second-lowest total in Women’s ODI World Cup history and their third-lowest in ODIs overall. Strangely, 12 years ago in India, they had suffered a similar fate against England in Cuttack, being bowled out for 71.
Two players from that 2013 match, Kapp and Chloe Tryon, were again part of today’s XI and faced the same humiliation. On the other hand, three players from that England side are still involved. Heather Knight and Danni Wyatt-Hodge remain in the squad, while former skipper Charlotte Edwards is now the head coach.
For England, it was a cracking start to the World Cup campaign, and Linsey Smith was named Player of the Match.
