Laura Marsh recorded England's best bowling figures at a World Cup as England maintained their impressive 100 per cent record with an eight-wicket thumping of Pakistan.
The 22-year-old off-spinner finished with stunning figures of 5-15, a career best and fifth on the all-time list at World Cups, as England dismissed their opponents for a measly 78 - a total which Charlotte Edwards' side had little trouble knocking off.
The result means England top Group B and their hat-trick of wins in Sydney means they are now unbeaten in 17 matches, which suggests they are peaking in time for the Super Six stage which starts on Saturday.
On a warm day at the historic North Sydney Oval, England coach Mark Lane made three changes from the side which thrashed India, bringing in Marsh, Rainford-Brent and Anya Shrubsole for Isa Guha, Nicky Shaw and Jenny Gunn.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Pakistan made an encouraging start with openers Nain Abidi and Bismah Maroof, a right-left combination, complementing each other's styles well.
With Abidi quick to latch on to anything short, thrashing Shrubsole and Brunt through or over point, Maroof looked solid when playing straight down the ground. But their 31-run opening stand was ended in Brunt's fifth over when Marsh - who else? - twice juggled Maroof at square leg before finally grabbing the loose ball with one hand.
That catch sparked the Marsh show as the Sussex all-rounder was introduced into the attack in the 12th over, a move which had dramatic results.
In her third over she teased Sukhan Faiz to edge to Claire Taylor who completed a fine catch at slip, diving to her left.
Marsh soon picked up her second wicket when Abidi, who looked more at home against the quicker bowlers, carved a drive straight to Beth Morgan in the covers.
Meanwhile, fellow spinner Holly Colvin, who intelligently varied her pace, had little luck at the other end and never was this more evident than in the 23rd over when two attempted drives somehow eluded fielders.
In contrast, Marsh could do little wrong, knocking back Sajjida Shah's off stump to leave Pakistan facing an uphill struggle at 59 for four.
The off-spinner made it two wickets in as many balls but she had Lydia Greenway to thank, the short-leg fielder swooping one-handed to catch Sana Mir first ball as Pakistan lost their fifth wicket.
Marsh was irresistible and picked up her maiden 'five for' when she trapped captain Urooj Mumtaz leg before to end the skipper's painful 18-ball duck.
Colvin was finally rewarded when she tempted Javeria Khan to unwisely heave across the line, the batter paying the ultimate price by being comprehensively bowled. Colvin's final figures of 10-7-8-1 could even be viewed as unflattering considering the spell she cast on the Pakistan batters.
Edwards came into the attack with instant effect, tempting Asmavia Iqbal to cart straight into Shrubsole's safe hands as Pakistan's plight worsened.
The end of the innings arrived swiftly as the returning Brunt rattled Qanita Jalil's stumps before Edwards trapped Batool Fatima in the next over.
Chasing 79 was never going to be a problem and perhaps England's only consideration was whether they might knock them off before lunch.
England suffered an early setback when Sarah Taylor, who had just played arguably the shot of the game - a slightly uppish on drive down the ground - the wicketkeeper pulled Jalil low to Khan who did well to hang on to the chance.
Edwards joined Rainford-Brent who looked in good touch, unfurling a number of stylish cover drives and punches off the back foot.
Pakistan's noisy supporters continued their unerring chanting, even when Edwards cracked a scorching drive that raced to the point boundary on the stroke of lunch.
Edwards continued when play resumed, milking singles off the spinners and tossing in the occasional boundary during the sort of innings which seemed so effortless she might have had an ice-cream in one hand and a bat in the other.
The only downside was the dismissal of Rainford-Brent who played on trying an ambitious swipe towards the legside, but even that could not dampen a one-sided win.
After the game Player of the Match Laura Marsh said: “I was really pleased with my performance today. It went really well. I was pleased to take some wickets and I'm delighted with the record. The pitch was not really turning much so I had to concentrate on my line and length.
“The team are doing really well and getting better and better. Hopefully we can continue improving against New Zealand, but they are a good side and so we won’t underestimate them.”
Head Coach Mark Lane added: “I'm very pleased. It was a solid performance and Laura Marsh bowled exceptionally well.
“We are getting better but we are still not at 100 per cent. There are a few things we need to tighten up on. Different people have all played a part and we are looking forward to a big game against New Zealand on Saturday. Games like this are what we have trained for.”
