England Women vs South Africa Women – ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Match Preview

Date: Friday, 3rd October 2025
Venue: Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati
Start Time: 10:30 AM GMT / 03:00 PM IST

Match Context

The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 kicks off with a high-stakes encounter between England Women and South Africa Women at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. This opening match sets the tone for the tournament and is a battle between two of the most consistent teams in women's cricket.

England, despite a rocky Ashes campaign and a recent loss to India, enter the match as favorites, buoyed by their strong historical record against South Africa. South Africa, on the other hand, have been in excellent form, winning six of their last eight games and showing promise with a balanced team and standout performers.

Head-to-Head

• Matches Played: 46
• England Wins: 35
• South Africa Wins: 10
• Last Five Matches: England 4, South Africa 1

The English side has a clear edge in recent encounters, and this psychological advantage could prove crucial in this high-pressure World Cup opener.

Team Form and Key Players

England Women

England's current setup has seen Amy Jones open the innings, providing a solid start with her aggressive yet calculated style. Jones has scored 410 runs in her last eight innings, averaging 68.33, and has already scored two centuries. The middle order is bolstered by Nat Sciver-Brunt, who has been in excellent form with 396 runs in six games at an average of 49.5. Sciver-Brunt has also been a consistent ODI performer and is expected to play a pivotal role.

The spin attack led by Sophie Ecclestone has been England’s backbone, with the leg-spinner taking 12 wickets in her last six games at an average of 24.5. Lauren Bell and Charlie Dean provide depth in the pace department, while Sarah Glenn adds variety with her off-spin.

South Africa Women

South Africa have been in red-hot form, with Tazmin Brits as the standout performer. Brits has scored a staggering 643 runs in just nine innings, including four centuries, at an average of 91.85. Her ability to dominate the opposition with a blend of power and patience has been instrumental in South Africa's recent successes.

Annerie Dercksen and Marizanne Kapp are vital all-rounders for the Proteas, combining hard-hitting with the bat and valuable wicket-taking with the ball. Dercksen has contributed 332 runs at 47.4 and taken four wickets, while Kapp has been a revelation with her 187 runs and five wickets in just three games.

The bowling department is led by Nonkululeko Mlaba and Masabata Klaas, who have been consistent performers with the ball and capable of picking up key wickets.

Venue and Pitch Report

Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati is well-known for being a batting-friendly surface. The pitch provides good bounce and carry, allowing batters to play their natural game. However, as the match progresses, the surface tends to slow down, offering assistance to spinners. Fast bowlers may get some early movement, but the overall trend is in favor of the batters.

• Average First Innings Score: 269.0
• Spin Bowlers' Average: 22.76
• Spin Bowlers' Economy Rate: 4.96

Given the nature of the pitch, the team batting first is likely to post a competitive total, and the match is expected to be a high-scoring encounter.

Predicted Playing XIs

England Women (ENG W):

1. Amy Jones (wk)
2. Tammy Beaumont
3. Emma Lamb
4. Nat Sciver-Brunt (c)
5. Sophia Dunkley
6. Danni Wyatt-Hodge
7. Charlie Dean
8. Sophie Ecclestone
9. Lauren Filer
10. Lauren Bell
11. Linsey Smith

South Africa Women (SA W):

1. Tazmin Brits
2. Laura Wolvaardt (c)
3. Nadine de Klerk
4. Annerie Dercksen
5. Chloe Tryon
6. Sune Luus
7. Marizanne Kapp
8. Nondumiso Shangase
9. Masabata Klaas
10. Tumi Sekhukhune
11. Karabo Meso (wk)

Match Predictions

• Toss Prediction: South Africa (due to their recent momentum)
• Match Winner: England (edge in form and experience)
• Top Batters:
  • Amy Jones (England)
  • Tazmin Brits (South Africa)
• Top Bowlers:
  • Sophie Ecclestone (England)
  • Nonkululeko Mlaba (South Africa)
• Player of the Match: Sophie Ecclestone (England)
• Most Sixes: Nat Sciver-Brunt (England), Tazmin Brits (South Africa)
• Team Scores (Batting First):
  • England: 250+
  • South Africa: 230+

Conclusion

This opening match of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 promises to be a thrilling contest between two top-tier teams. While England have the edge in the head-to-head and a more balanced squad, South Africa's current form and explosive batting lineup make them a formidable opponent. The key will lie in how well each team utilizes the conditions and whether the spinners can make a late impact. With a batting-friendly pitch in store, expect a high-scoring encounter that sets the stage for an exciting World Cup.

Where to Watch:

• Live Broadcast: Star Sports
• Live Streaming: JioHotstar App & Website

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