Emma Lamb hits maiden England hundred in convincing win

NICK FRIEND AT NORTHAMPTON: Lamb had never previously made a white-ball run for England in three matches, but a fortnight on from her Test debut she was assured and dominant throughout

Northampton: South Africa 218, England 220-5 - England win by five wickets

Scorecard

England cruised to victory in their first ODI against South Africa since their meeting in the World Cup semi-final in April.

Heather Knight's side were victorious then, and they had far too much for Sune Luus' charges at Northampton as well, dominating from the moment the hosts were asked to field first, right up until Emma Lamb hit her first international hundred.

Earlier, Katherine Brunt returned figures of 3 for 18 in nine overs in her first international appearance since her Test retirement.

Brunt beat the bat of Andrie Steyn with the first ball of the match, before appealing for a catch behind with her second. England opted to review to no avail, but an over later she had Steyn pushing outside off-stump again, only for the edge to fall just short of Knight at first slip.

In the interim, Laura Wolvaardt eased into her work with successive cover-driven fours off Nat Sciver, who shared the new ball in the absence of Anya Shrubsole, who ended her international career following the World Cup final.

Steyn's charmed life came to an end shortly afterwards, however, trapped palpably in front by Brunt, who was impeccable and typically impassioned. Having handed debuts to Issy Wong and Lauren Bell in the one-off Test, both were left on the sidelines at Northampton, with England's tweaks less personnel-based and centred instead around the hosts' batting order.

Danni Wyatt returned to the middle order, as she had flagged on the eve of the game, with Lamb partnering Tammy Beaumont at the top, while Sophia Dunkley was pushed up to No.3 and Amy Jones down to No.7.

^{Katherine Brunt took three wickets for England (David Rogers/Getty Images)}

Lara Goodall fell to Brunt for just five and Luus was bowled by Sophie Ecclestone, having struggled to seven off 28 deliveries.

That South Africa had a total of any kind to defend was the work of Chloe Tryon, whose hard-hitting style was rewarded on an excellent surface. She hit Kate Cross out of the ground over the legside – one of three sixes in a 73-ball innings that brought 88 runs and a terrific fightback, first with Wolvaardt and then alongside Nadine de Klerk after Wolvaardt – the Proteas' leading batter – was adjudged lbw and didn't review despite replays showing an inside edge.

De Klerk made 38 in a 97-run partnership, before Tryon's demise – caught on the midwicket fence for one of Sciver's four wickets – precipitated a collapse of 5 for 13.

England were never really troubled in reply: Tammy Beaumont fell early, but Lamb – in only her third ODI, having never previously hit an international white-ball run – controlled the run-chase with remarkable poise, strong on a cut shot that was fed all too often by Marizanne Kapp with the new ball.

She dominated a stand with Dunkley that was only ended on review, with Dunkley trapped in front by de Klerk. Sciver followed suit, bashing eight fours in her half century as she continued a fine summer's form. By then, on a flat pitch with a rapid, torched outfield, South Africa were well beaten.

Sciver holed out for 55, before Lamb went to a memorable hundred alongside Knight, carving past backward point and raising her arms in celebration. She was also caught in the deep, but the damage had long since been done.

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