Last Updated:
The win gave South Africa an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series as Breetzke’s 85 led the Proteas to a total of 330, which they successfully defended by limiting England to 325/9.
South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj, second right, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England’s Will Jacks during the second ODI series cricket match between England and South Africa, at Lord’s, in London, Thursday Sept. 4, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
South Africa edged out England in the second ODI of the three-match series between the sides with a 5-run win at the Lord’s on Friday to wrap up the series with a game to go as Matthew Breetzke became the first batsman in ODI history to start his career with five consecutive knocks of fifty runs or more.
The win gave South Africa an unbeatable 2-0 lead in a three-match series as Breetzke’s 85 helped the Proteas to a total of 330, which they successfully defended by limiting England to 325/9.
Jofra Archer remained unbeaten on 27, hitting two boundaries off spinner Senuran Muthusamy, but this was insufficient as England ended their innings at 325-9. This followed half-centuries from Joe Root and Jos Buttler (both scoring 61) and Jacob Bethell (58).
The total of 655 runs set a new record for an ODI at Lord’s. Several South African players enjoyed another dramatic success at the ‘Home of Cricket’ after their World Test Championship final win over Australia in June.
South African fast bowler Nandre Burger claimed 3-63. England, who were bowled out for a mere 131 in the series opener in Leeds on Tuesday, managed to extend this match to its full length.
Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs (58) shared a century partnership in just 101 balls, with their stand eventually reaching 147 after South Africa’s shaky start at 93-3.
Breetzke, 26, played due to Tony de Zorzi’s hamstring injury sustained while fielding at Headingley. Breetzke began his ODI career with four consecutive scores exceeding 50, including 150 on debut against New Zealand in February and 88 during South Africa’s recent series-winning match in Australia.
England required a record-breaking chase to match India’s 326-8 in 2002, the highest score by a team batting second to win an ODI at Lord’s.
Their pursuit started poorly when opener Jamie Smith, England’s top-scorer on Tuesday with 54, fell for a golden duck, caught behind off an inside-edge against left-arm quick Burger.
Root and Bethell revived England’s hopes with a third-wicket partnership of 77 against a Proteas attack missing four first-choice fast bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, and Gerald Coetzee.
Bethell, 21, took 20 runs off an over from left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, the world’s top-ranked ODI bowler, on his way to a brisk 28-ball fifty.
However, Bethell and Root fell in quick succession, leaving England at 147-4. Bethell slashed Corbin Bosch to backward point, then Maharaj beat the advancing Root to have the England great stumped by Ryan Rickelton.
England captain Harry Brook (33) and former captain Buttler attempted to salvage the situation. But when Buttler was bowled by an excellent slow yorker from Lungi Ngidi, ending his lively 51-ball innings, England were 256-6 in the 43rd over.
England continued to fight with Will Jacks scoring 39, but the task proved too challenging.
Earlier, Breetzke’s latest rapid innings featured seven fours and three sixes before a slower-ball yorker from fast bowler Archer ended his 77-ball effort. Breetzke has now scored 463 ODI runs in five innings at a remarkable average of 92.6.
Archer (4-62) and leg-spinner Adil Rashid (2-33) were England’s leading bowlers. However, spinners Bethell and Will Jacks — England’s fifth bowler combined — conceded a costly 112 runs in their 10 overs.
England made one change, bringing in Saqib Mahmood to replace Sonny Baker, whose seven wicketless overs on debut cost 76 runs at Headingley. The series concludes at Southampton on Sunday.
(With Inputs From AFP)
United Kingdom (UK)
September 05, 2025, 03:08 IST
Read More
