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England crushed South Africa by 342 runs in Southampton as Jofra Archer starred with 4-18 and Jacob Bethell hit his first ODI century, setting a new record for the largest ODI win.
England made merry of South Africa’s misery in Southampton.
(AFP Photo)
South Africa endured the most significant defeat in ODI history as England bowled them out for a mere 72 in a 342-run victory, driven by Jofra Archer’s explosive bowling and Jacob Bethell’s first century on Sunday.
Chasing 415 to secure a series sweep, the Proteas collapsed embarrassingly in just 20.5 overs in Southampton.
This marked the largest winning margin when batting first in ODI history, surpassing India’s 317-run win over Sri Lanka in 2023.
South Africa narrowly avoided breaking their lowest ODI total of 69 against Australia in 1993.
England’s previous largest margin of victory was a 242-run win against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2018.
After Bethell’s 110 off 82 balls and Joe Root’s efficient 100, Archer dismantled the South African lineup.
Archer ended with impressive figures of 4-18 in nine overs, removing four of South Africa’s top five batsmen.
His fearsome form highlighted why England are eager to keep him fit for the Ashes series in Australia later this year.
Having lost the series opener at Headingley by seven wickets and the second game at Lord’s by five runs, England salvaged pride with their record-breaking performance in the final match.
England’s fifth-highest ODI total of 414-5 comfortably defeated South Africa.
Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 62 and Jamie Smith’s 62 added to the run spree alongside Bethell and Root.
Bethell’s vibrant innings included 13 fours and three sixes, showcasing why England fast-tracked him in all formats.
He surpassed his previous career-best score of 96 in a Test match against New Zealand in 2024.
Bethell admitted this week he should have played more cricket over the domestic summer to stay in form.
Before this innings, he had only faced 387 balls this summer compared to 1,480 in 2024.
Bethell, set to become England’s youngest captain in an ODI series against Ireland later this month, made just six and five in his two Test innings against India.
He scored one against South Africa at Headingley but hit 58 off 40 balls at Lord’s, maintaining his form to deliver an even more dynamic display on Sunday.
South Africa’s chase began disastrously as Aiden Markram was caught behind off Archer in the first over.
Wiaan Mulder fell for a duck in the next over, lofting Brydon Carse to Harry Brook.
Under skies favouring the bowlers, Archer tightened England’s grip, inducing an edge from Ryan Rickelton that left the tourists at 6-3.
Archer’s potent pace and bounce proved unplayable, making Matthew Breetzke duck into a caught-behind, ending his bid for a sixth consecutive ODI half-century.
Archer’s blitz continued, reaching speeds over 90mph, resulting in Tristan Stubbs being caught in the slips by Will Jacks.
South Africa slumped to 18-5 and Carse further pushed them towards defeat, having Dewald Brevis caught by Jamie Overton, leaving the Proteas at 26-6.
With Temba Bavuma unable to bat due to injury, only nine wickets were needed.
England showed no mercy as Adil Rashid claimed three wickets, ensuring they concluded a challenging series on a memorable note.
South Africa will seek to redeem themselves in the T20 series against England starting on Wednesday.
(With agency inputs)
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
September 07, 2025, 22:42 IST
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