Emma Lamb slams maiden ton as England Women crush South Africa in opening ODI

Young Emma Lamb scored a maiden international century as England, backed by fine bowling performances from Nat Sciver and Katherine Brunt, won the opening One-day International against South Africa Women by five wickets with 107 ball remaining at the County Ground here.

England bowlers were tough to negotiate, with Sciver grabbing a four-wicket haul, while Brunt took three as the Proteas were dismissed for 218 in 47.4 overs. England's massive win comes months after they stopped South Africa's charge in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup semifinal in New Zealand.

The hosts then notched up the winning runs in 32.1 overs with Emma Lamb smashing 15 boundaries in her nearly run-a-ball 102.

Earlier, Katherine Brunt found an early rhythm in her return, taking 2/5 in her opening spell of five overs. Cracking the South African batting order open with strikes in consecutive overs, the quick finished with a third, beating the defences of Ayabonga Khaka as the hosts pressed on to take all 10 wickets.

Nat Sciver was not as lethal with the new ball, but returned to decimate the middle order, finishing with 4/59.

Missing the Test match through injury, Chloe Tryon showcased her power in an admirable counter attack, plundering 13 boundaries in a 73-ball 88. Walking out at 73/4 and losing Laura Wolvaardt soon after at 108/5, Tryon saved the tourists from a total collapse, putting on 97 with Nadine de Klerk (38), and taking the score past 200. The right-hander would only fall in the final five overs trying to move up an extra gear.