England's bowling attack wreaked havoc on South Africa's batting line-up in the fourth match of the ongoing Women's ODI World Cup 2025 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Friday, October 10.

Opting to bowl first by skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, England dismantled South Africa's batting line-up as they bundled out the Proteas for just 69 in 20.4 overs, recording their third-lowest total in the history of the Women's ODI World Cup. Linsey Smith led England's bowling attack with figures of 3/7 at an economy rate of 1.80 in 4 overs. Captain Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, and Charlie Dean contributed to the team's bowling by taking two wickets each.

For South Africa, wicketkeeper-batter Sinalo Jafta was the top scorer with 22 off 36 balls, while other batters failed to reach double figures, highlighting South Africa's batting collapse.

The Collapse that Didn't See it Coming

After putting to bat first, South Africa were hoping for a solid start, but early wickets triggered a dramatic collapse in their batting line-up. Linsey Smith ran through the Proteas' top order and picked three wickets of skipper Laura Wolvaardt (5), Tazmin Brits (5), and Marizanne Kapp (4) and reduced South Africa to 19/4 in 5.1 overs.

The collapse did not stop as South Africa was further reduced to 38/6 in 10.1 overs, with the dismissals of Anneke Bosch (6) and Chloe Tryon (2), leaving the Proteas reeling with no stability in the middle order. However, Sinalo Jafta was trying her best to hold the Proteas' fort amid the collapse, but did not get adequate support from the other end, as wickets kept tumbling around her.

Before reaching the 50-run mark, South Africa lost their seventh wicket in Nadine de Klerk for 3 at 48/1, leaving Jafta to shoulder the responsibility of keeping the scoreboard moving.

Carnage in Guwahati! #England bowlers run riot, and with a modest target ahead, eye a commanding start to their campaign! WATCH #CWC25 | ENG SA | LIVE NOW twitter/hq1ZLji74v

- Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 3, 2025

Sinalo Jafta was seen as a sole hope for South Africa to take the team past the 100-run mark, at least if not a solid total. However, this was also dashed after Jafta was dismissed at 60/9. Thereafter, Nonkululeko Mlaba was dismissed for 3, eventually, wrapping up South Africa's innings at 69, sealing one of their heaviest batting collapses in Women's World Cup history.

Netizens react to England's dismantling of South Africa's batting

South Africa's shocking collapse to their batting line-up sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with fans lavishing praise on England's ruthless bowling while expressing their disbelief over the Proteas' dramatic collapse

Taking to their X handle (formerly Twitter), fans and cricket enthusiasts were quite impressed with England's bowling, especially Linsey Smith, who rattled South Africa's top order, while the Proteas' shambolic batting left many stunned.

Just plugged into the South Africa and England women's world cup game and HOLY SHIT WHAT ARE SOUTH AFRICA DOING

- Gaurav Nandan Tripathi | गौरव नंदन त्रिपाठी (@Cric_Beyond_Ent) October 3, 2025

What on earth is happening in the South Africa vs England Women's World Cup match. South Africa has lost 6 wickets for just 38. twitter/GATrfeL3N4

- Vijay Anaparthi (@VijayCricketFan) October 3, 2025

Incredible start to the World Cup for England's women: South Africa bowled out for just 69 in 20.4 overs. Spin-heavy strategy and decision to open the bowling with Linsey Smith both vindicated in style

- Matt Roller (@mroller98) October 3, 2025

Linsey Smith-England left hand spin bowler is on fire against South Africa in ICC WOMEN'S WORLD CUP taking top three wickets .RSAW 32/5 in 8.5 overs in a very critical condition.

- Ravi (@RaviWritess) October 3, 2025

Horrendous start to the #CWC25 by South Africa Baffling overly-aggressive batting approachThat too when they STRUGGLED BADLY against Linsey Smith's insane drift & Nat Sciver-Brunt's change-of-pace deliveriesCompletely misread the pitchHope they bounce back strongly ! Skiddy (@world_choker) October 3, 2025

Wow, tough loss for South Africa! England bowled brilliantly today, Linsey Smith was a real star. #CWC25 Anjali Roy (@AnjaliRoy05) October 3, 2025

Incredible start to the World Cup for England's women: South Africa bowled out for just 69 in 20.4 overs. Spin-heavy strategy and decision to open the bowling with Linsey Smith both vindicated in style

- Matt Roller (@mroller98) October 3, 2025

What a sensational debut for Linsey Smith in the ODI WC :Destroyed the top order batting of SA with spell of 4 Overs, 7 Runs, 3 Wickets, with one stumping chance missed so far #LinseySmith #ENGvSA #iccwomensworldcup2025

- Ambika (@apmahapatra) October 3, 2025

#ENGvSA #ICCWomensWorldCup2025 Just saw the score and... twitter/vSsz99bTzC

- Siddharth Dixit (@sid_dixit_25) October 3, 2025

Every chance it would have made no difference today, but South Africa women should never be playing a match in any format without Annerie Dercksen in their XI.

- hypocaust (@_hypocaust) October 3, 2025

England Women crush South Africa Women. Such a crushing loss can become a tournament ending one. First of all, their 2 points are gone & on top of that, their NRR took pummeling beyond recovery. Basically, this can act as 2 losses from one match. And exactly opposite for England.

- Vipul (@Vipul_Espeaks) October 3, 2025

The Women's World Cup just isn't living up to the expectations, another dull game, with South Africa bundled out for 69 and England Women nearly chasing it down without losing a wicket, just 5 runs short of a 10-wicket win.

- Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) October 3, 2025

Meanwhile, England wrapped up the match quickly as they chased down the 69-run target in 14.1 overs and secured a 10-wicket victory to kick off their quest for the fifth World Cup title on a winning note. Wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones led the run chase with an unbeaten knock of 40 off 50 balls, including 6 fours, while Tammy Beaumont contributed with an innings of 21 off 35 balls.

MENAFN03102025007385015968ID1110146969