The 2025 Women’s World Cup continued to produce moments of brilliance, and the fourth game of the tournament delivered one such highlight when England spinner Linsey Smith produced an absolute jaffa to dismiss South Africa’s star all-rounder Marizanne Kapp. The clash, played on Friday, saw England Women take on South Africa Women, with the English side asserting complete dominance from the very first ball.
England’s decision to bowl pays off instantly
England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt’s call to bowl first turned out to be a masterstroke. The English bowling attack came out firing on all cylinders and dismantled South Africa’s top order with ruthless efficiency. Within a matter of overs, the Proteas were left reeling at 38/6, unable to cope with the relentless pressure. Every bowler contributed to the carnage, and the South African batters had little room to breathe.
The tone was set early, and South Africa never quite managed to recover from the initial collapse. Their frontline batters looked tentative and were undone by the accuracy and discipline of the English bowlers.
Linsey Smith dismisses Marizanne Kapp with a beauty
Among the flurry of wickets, the standout moment came in the sixth over when Smith delivered a beauty that left the crowd and commentators in awe. On the very first ball of the over, Smith bowled round the wicket, landing the ball on a perfect length. The delivery skidded in with the arm and sneaked past Kapp’s forward defence. Kapp, attempting a measured push, was left stunned as the ball zipped through the gate and rattled the stumps.
The dismissal highlighted Smith’s ability to mix her pace and angle with great precision. Known for her deceptive variations, she proved too good for one of South Africa’s most experienced campaigners. The replay of the wicket quickly went viral on social media, with fans calling it one of the best deliveries of the tournament so far.
Here’s the video:
Smith leads England’s bowling charge
Smith’s spell was nothing short of devastating. In her first four overs, she bagged three crucial wickets, breaking the backbone of South Africa’s batting order. Her accuracy and sharp turn left the Proteas with no answers. Alongside her, skipper Sciver-Brunt chipped in with two wickets, showcasing her knack for breaking partnerships. Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone also joined the party, claiming a wicket each to add to South Africa’s misery.
By the 14th over, South Africa were staggering at 48/7, desperately trying to hold the innings together. With the top and middle order back in the hut, the lower order faced the daunting task of salvaging something from a disastrous start.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
