MUMBAI– Rampant South Africa left England’s World Cup title defence in absolute shambles here on Saturday, handing the reigning champions their biggest loss in history of ODI cricket by 229 runs in one of the most dominant all-round performances in recent times.
Having amassed the second highest total of 399/7 in this year’s edition — the first also belongs to the Proteas — South African pace battery ran through England’s famed batting line-up with tremendous ease terminating their innings at 170 in 22 overs.
In World Cup history, South Africa’s win over England is now the joint-sixth highest by margin of runs.
A wrong call at the toss was followed by a poor bowling show, but what left a huge embarrassment to deal with for England was a stunning collapse on a batting-friendly surface here, which saw Jos Buttler’s team rolling over for 170 for nine in 22 overs.
If it was not for a ninth-wicket 70-run stand between Mark Wood (43 not out) and Gus Atkinson (35), England’s loss will feature among one of the worst in history of ODI cricket.
Alongside the catastrophic defeat, Buttler’s call to bowl first in most humid conditions, would also rankle for times to come since England’s recent record of chasing — only three wins in 11 matches since January 2022 — did not back them up enough.
England’s disintegration began when Heinrich Klaasen produced a hundred of the highest quality in extremely humid conditions to fire South Africa to their highest total in a World Cup contest against them.
Klaasen resurrected South Africa with his third century of the year and overall fourth, hammering 109 off just 67 balls while Jansen smashed a terrific 75 not out (42 balls, 3x4s, 6x6s).
South Africa stumbled in the middle overs after Reeza Hendricks (85 off 75 balls, 9x4s, 3x6s) and Rassie van der Dussen (60 off 61 balls, 8x4s) ensured a strong platform.
Brief Scores:
South Africa: 399 for 7 in 50 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 109, Reeza Hendricks 85, Marco Jansen 75 not out; Reece Topley 3/88).
England: 170 all out in 22 overs (Mark Wood 43; Gerald Coetzee 3/35).
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
