Proteas Demolished! Archer's Fury Leads England to Record Win!
Jofra Archer delivered a blistering performance, ripping through South Africa's batting lineup as England secured a massive 342-run victory in the final ODI at Southampton's Rose Bowl. This record-breaking win, however, only served as a consolation, as South Africa had already clinched the series with wins in the first two matches.
Archer's Spell of Doom
Archer's opening spell of 4-10 in seven overs left the Proteas reeling. Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, and Matthew Breetzke all fell victim to his searing pace, caught behind by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. South Africa crumbled to an unbelievable 24-6, struggling to cope with the relentless pressure.
England's Dominant Batting Display
Earlier in the day, centuries from Jacob Bethell and Joe Root propelled England to a formidable total of 414-5. Bethell's maiden professional century and Root's 19th ODI ton put the hosts in a commanding position, setting the stage for Archer's destructive spell.
Proteas Capitulation
Only Tristan Stubbs (10) managed to reach double figures among South Africa's top six batsmen. Captain Temba Bavuma was unable to bat after injuring a calf muscle in the field, further compounding the Proteas' woes. Brydon Carse chipped in with two wickets, while Adil Rashid cleaned up the tail, completing South Africa's humiliation. Wiaan Mulder and Dewald Brevis also fell cheaply.
Bavuma Laments Poor Attitude
A dejected Temba Bavuma questioned his team's attitude after the match. He cited sloppy fielding, including dropped catches, as evidence of a lack of focus. "It's a downer. We were just poor to be honest, in all departments," Bavuma admitted. He also highlighted the team's struggles with the ball, pointing to a high number of extras conceded.
- South Africa bowled out for just 72.
- England won by a record-breaking 342 runs.
- Jofra Archer took 4 wickets.
- Jacob Bethell and Joe Root scored centuries for England.
Despite the series victory, Bavuma acknowledged the need for improvement. He emphasized that playing for one's country should be motivation enough and dismissed any suggestion that the team lacked desire. He also addressed the issue of squad depth, noting that the absence of key players had exposed the gap between international and domestic cricket.