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Archer leads England to record-breaking consolation victory

football07 September 2025 16:52| © MWP
By:Neil Manthorp
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England fast bowler Jofra Archer destroyed South Africa’s top order with an opening spell of 4-10 in seven overs after centuries from Jacob Bethell and Joe Root had led England to a daunting total of 414-5 as the home side claimed a consolation, record victory by 342-runs in the third and final one-day international at Southampton’s Rose Bowl on Sunday.

South Africa collapsed to an astonishing 24-6 before being dismissed for just 72 to take significant gloss off their series victory achieved with victories by seven wickets and five runs in the first two matches at Headingley and Lord’s on Tuesday and Thursday.

Only Tristan Stubbs (10) reached double figures among the top six batsmen with Temba Bavuma injuring a calf muscle in the field and unable to bat with Archer’s searing pace having Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Matthew Breetzke caught by ‘keeper Jos Buttler and Stubbs at second slip.

Brydon Carse (6-1-33-2) induced a leading edge to mid off from Wiaan Mulder and an edge to second slip from Dewald Brevis.

Adil Rashid (3-13) knocked over the tail to complete South Africa’s embarrassment.

Bethell’s first professional century and a 19th in ODIs from Root put the hosts in an impregnable position but Archer (9-3-18-4) humiliated them.

Remarkably, South Africa’s commendable back-to-back series victories against Australia and England (2-1 in both) concluded with record totals against them by both teams and record victory margins.

The 431-2 and 276-run defeat in Mackay was Australia’s largest total and victory against South Africa – England’s win by 342-runs was not just their highest against South Africa, it was the largest victory margin in the history of ODI cricket.

BETHELL & ROOT LEAD ENGLAND'S CHARGE

Precociously talented left-hander, Bethell, repaid the faith shown in him with a dazzling 110 from just 82 balls with 13 fours and three sixes before Keshav Maharaj fired a delivery well wide of off-stump to have the charging 21-year-old comfortably stumped by Ryan Rickelton.

It was a memorable display of shot-making.

Veteran Root was in his element playing the anchor role while opener Jamie Smith (62 from 48 balls) and Bethell were providing the fireworks.

Root drove and cut just six boundaries during his innings but rotated the strike superbly, scoring at just over a run-a-ball throughout before slicing a low full-toss from the persevering Bosch (2-79) to backward point to depart for exactly 100.

Smith and Ben Duckett (31) gave England a flying start with an opening stand of 59 in just 8.3 overs before Duckett miscued a drive against Bosch to Markram running towards the boundary from mid off.

Smith, too, skied a drive against Maharaj (8-0-61-2) to long off where Bosch held the catch.

England’s progress would not have been as smooth had Breetzke held a straightforward catch at cover with Smith on 23 and Nandre Burger a slightly trickier one at mid on when Bethell toe-ended a pull against Wiaan Mulder.

They also conceded 27 extras including 19 wides.

England captain Harry Brook carelessly ran himself out attempting an unlikely single but that merely signalled the arrival of former captain Buttler in simmering form with an unbeaten 62 from only 32 deliveries, including eight fours and huge six against Maharaj over midwicket.

Will Jacks added the final blows with an unbeaten 18 from eight balls.

It was an inauspicious debut for Codi Yusuf whose 10 wicketless overs cost 80 and an equally forgettable innings for Burger whose barren 10 cost him 95 runs.

ENGLAND: Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Jos Buttler (wkt), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.

SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wkt), Temba Bavuma (captain), Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Codi Yusuf, Nandre Burger.

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