England produced one of their most dominant one-day performances in recent memory, hammering South Africa by a staggering 342 runs in the third and final ODI at The Ageas Bowl on Sunday. Despite the emphatic win, the series went South Africa’s way 2-1, but this result gave England a massive confidence boost heading into their upcoming fixtures.
Having been asked to bat first after South Africa won the toss, England’s batting lineup delivered a masterclass. Young opener Jacob Bethell stole the spotlight with a dazzling 110 off just 82 balls, showcasing flair and maturity beyond his years. Joe Root, the seasoned campaigner, anchored the innings with a classy 100 off 96 deliveries. Together, they laid a strong platform that South Africa’s bowlers simply couldn’t recover from.
The fireworks didn’t stop there. Captain Jos Buttler joined the party with a blistering unbeaten 62 off 32 balls, while the rest of the batting unit chipped in to push England to a mammoth 414/5 in their 50 overs. South Africa’s bowling looked toothless against the relentless assault. Keshav Maharaj (2/61) and Corbin Bosch (2/79) were the only wicket-takers, but both went for plenty.
Chasing an almost impossible target, South Africa collapsed in dramatic fashion. They never found their footing against England’s fiery pace attack. Corbin Bosch top-scored with just 20 off 32 balls, while Maharaj’s 17 was the only other meaningful resistance. The rest of the batting order crumbled like a deck of cards, with no one else crossing double figures except Tristan Stubbs (10).
England’s bowlers were ruthless. Jofra Archer led the charge with a devastating spell of 4/18 in nine overs, tearing through the top order with pace and precision. Adil Rashid spun a web around the lower order, picking up 3/13 in just 3.5 overs. Brydon Carse chipped in with 2/33 as South Africa were bundled out for a paltry 72 in only 20.5 overs.
The margin of victory—342 runs—is among the heaviest defeats South Africa have ever suffered in ODIs and underlines England’s potential firepower when everything clicks. Though the Proteas claimed the series 2-1, this humiliation in the final match will sting as they reflect on their inconsistencies.
For England, the win was more than just consolation—it was a reminder of their capability to dominate any opposition in white-ball cricket. With Bethell announcing himself on the big stage, Root back in form, and Archer firing with the ball, England will take plenty of positives moving forward.
Match Summary:
England – 414/5 (50)
Bethell 110 (82), Root 100 (96), Buttler 62* (32); Maharaj 2/61, Bosch 2/79
South Africa – 72 (20.5)
Bosch 20 (32), Maharaj 17 (17); Archer 4/18, Rashid 3/13, Carse 2/33
Result – England won by 342 runs (South Africa win series 2-1)
