Perfect day for record-breaking Knight

Heather Knight completed a perfect debut as England skipper on Tuesday, becoming the first woman to score a half-century and take five wickets in a one-day international as her side thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets in Leicester.

In her first match since taking over from former captain Charlotte Edwards, Knight took 5-26 to dismiss the tourists for 165, before posting an unbeaten fifty as the hosts reached their target of 166 with 18.1 overs to spare.

Two catches off her own bowling completed a dream debut for Knight.

After sending Pakistan in to bat, fast bowler Katherine Brunt removed opener Javeria Khan (7) early, becoming the 13th woman to take 100 ODI wickets in the process.

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A maiden ODI fifty for Sidra Ameen (52 off 79) was the sole bright spot for Pakistan, as Knight – who only took up off-spin two years ago having previously been a medium pacer - tore through the middle and lower order in the best bowling performance of her international career.

Pakistan seamer Asmavia Iqbal gave the tourists hope when she removed Lauren Winfield with the first ball of England’s innings, but fellow opener Tammy Beaumont never looked troubled as she worked her way to a career-best 70 from 75 balls.

When she perished England were just 37 runs shy of victory and Knight saw her team home, helped by an aggressive run-a-ball 27 from Natalie Sciver.

"I had some nerves this morning - it was a big day for me - but they settled quite quickly,” Knight said after the match.

"I was dreaming of a hundred on debut. Getting a five-for never crossed my mind but it was great to start well.

"When I took the job I said I wasn't going to try and be another Charlotte Edwards and I'd do it my own way.

"Laura Marsh was outstanding in the middle and a few of my wickets were down to her."

Meanwhile, South Africa will have a new captain when they head to Australia later this year after Mignon du Preez announced she was stepping down.

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Du Preez, who played for the Melbourne Stars in last summer’s Women’s Big Bash League, cited a desire to work on her game as the main motivation for her decision.

It ended her four-year stint as Proteas captain, which saw her lead her side to their first ever Women’s World T20 semi-final in 2014 and historic away ODI series wins over India and Bangladesh.

She has been replaced by 23-year-old allrounder Dane van Niekerk, who turned out for the Melbourne Renegades in WBBL|01.

The Proteas will head to Ireland next month, while they are due to play the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars in Australia this summer.

"This was an incredibly difficult decision and took a lot of introspection, but ultimately I believe that this is the best step forward not only for myself, but for the team," Du Preez said.

"Stepping down from the captaincy role will give me an opportunity to work on my own game, which has taken a downturn in the last couple of seasons."

Van Niekerk said she was humbled and excited by the appointment.

"This is the biggest honour of my career so far,” she said.

"Captaining my country has been a dream since I began playing cricket and I am humbled that Cricket South Africa have chosen me for the job."