The third and final T20 International between England and South Africa at Trent Bridge in Nottingham was abandoned without a ball bowled on Sunday afternoon.

Steady rain was forecast for much of the day and hopes of a rain-shortened game were curtailed just less than 90 minutes after the scheduled start with the series shared 1-1.

Rain has the final word at Trent Bridge as the third T20I is abandoned. ⛈️

The series finishes all square at 1-1. 🇿🇦🏏 #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/qmfza4RsnG

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) September 14, 2025

South Africa won a slightly farcical first match at Cardiff by 14 runs on the DLS method after making 97-5 in 7.5 overs (reduced from nine overs) before the hosts had their target reduced to 69 from just five overs and finished on 54-5.

England roared back to level the series with a host of records at Old Trafford in Manchester on Friday night posting a total of 304-2 on the back of 141* from 60 balls and 83 from 30 deliveries by openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler.

The toss did not take place and no teams were announced.

The Proteas squad will now return to South Africa to prepare for the start of the domestic season but also a multi-format tour of Pakistan in October, including the defence of their World Test Championship title with two tests.

Phil Salt’s record score of 141* laid the platform for England’s record score of 304 for two, which proved more than sufficient for a 146-run victory against South Africa in the second T20 International at Old Trafford in Manchester on Friday night.

South Africa were predictably decimated in reply despite a brief flicker of hope with an opening stand of 50 in 3.3 overs between Aidan Markram (41) and Ryan Rickelton (20). But fast bowler Jofra Archer (3-25) ripped through the top and lower order to ensure an emphatic win.

Opener Salt’s century came from just 39 balls, with a Power Play total of 100-0 and England’s blazing total among a host of records broken as the home side smashed South Africa’s attack to ribbons after being asked to bat first.

Former captain Jos Buttler led the way with a brutal 83 from 30 balls with eight fours and seven sixes before slicing left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin to Tristan Stubbs at long off.

South Africa gets the breakthrough and it's a massive one 💥

Bjorn Fortuin breaks up England's opening partnership 👇

📺 Stream #ENGvSA on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/YYtg2ybEGb

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 12, 2025

Salt picked up the pace with a barrage of boundaries, slicing, cutting, pulling and flicking fours almost at will, with the bowlers having no answer to the onslaught. Even with plans in place, they were unable to bowl the ball in the required areas and both Salt and Buttler gorged themselves at the bowling buffet.

The hosts are keeping the scoreboard ticking in Manchester 🔢💥

📺 Stream #ENGvSA on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/CBC7iEi6pL

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 12, 2025

Jacob Bethell bashed 26 from 14 balls before miscuing a drive against Fortuin (2-52) to long off, but there was no stopping England’s rampage with captain Harry Brook helping himself to 41* from 21 balls with five fours and a six.

SALT ENHANCES HIS T20 RECORD

Salt was denied much of the strike in the final overs but still finished with an eye-watering 141 not out from just 60 balls with 15 fours and eight sixes as he smashed his own individual record (119) for an England batsman in T20 cricket and led his country to their highest total in the format.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 🔄️

The hosts put on a show as Phil Salt leads the charge with 141 runs 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💥

📺 Stream #ENGvSA on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/HZ1KyZuqj1

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 12, 2025

It was a horrendous day for SA’s bowlers with Lizaad Williams conceding a withering 60 runs from his first 15 balls - let that sink in – before finishing with 3-0-62-0. Fortuin (4-0-52-0) and Kwena Maphaka (4-0-41-0) escaped the worst of the savagery, but Marco Jansen (4-0-60-0), whose first over of the innings was lashed for 18 by Salt, did not.

Tristan Stubbs and Donovan Ferreira made 23 apiece but it was only ever about limiting the extent of the damage – and humiliation – and neither was achieved. Fortuin wiped a fraction of the embarrassment away with 32 from 16 balls but it was still England’s biggest win and South Africa’s greatest loss in T20I history.

With three wickets down, South Africa continue to soldier on 🔢👇

📺 Stream #ENGvSA on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/F7sFwTKmO0

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 12, 2025

South Africa won the first contest of the three-match series by 14 runs on the DLS system in slightly farcical circumstances in Cardiff on Wednesday night when rain curtailed South Africa’s innings after 7.5 overs and then reduced England’s reply to just five overs.

The Proteas scored 97 for five, to which England replied with 54 for five.

England level the T20I series against South Africa in a showstopper 🤝

Watch the final match this Sunday at 15:30 (CAT) on SS Cricket 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇿🇦#ENGvSA | #SSCricket pic.twitter.com/9RVhujh1WR

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 12, 2025

The third and deciding encounter will take place at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Sunday.

---

ENGLAND: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wkt), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (captain), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood

SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram (captain), Ryan Rickelton (wkt), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Bjorn Fortuin, Kwena Maphaka, Lizaad Williams

Quickfire 20s from Aiden Markram, Dewald and Donovan Ferreira helped South Africa to a chaotic, slightly farcical  14-run (DLS) victory in the first of three T20 Internationals against England at Cardiff on Wednesday night.

The start of play was delayed by almost two hours because of rain and South Africa’s innings, reduced initially to nine overs, ended on 97-5 from 7.5 overs when rain again intervened before England were restricted to 54-5 in five overs chasing a revised target of 69 to win.

South Africa take an early lead in the T20I series after a rain-filled match 🌧️🇿🇦#ENGvSA | #SSCricket pic.twitter.com/tPfTAkoumv

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 10, 2025

Former England captain Jos Buttler smashed 25 from 11 balls but the rest of the batting order disintegrated with Marco Jansen (2-18) and Corbin Bosch (2-20) claiming a brace apiece in their two overs of incisive, smart death bowling.

Markram hammered two straight sixes in his 28 from 14 balls and Brevis added three more in his 23 from 10 balls before both were caught in the deep attempting further big hits.

Ferreira was in even greater six-hitting form with three maximums from the 11 balls he faced to finish unbeaten on 25 when further rain forced the players from the field after 7.5 off the scheduled nine overs.

In a contest bound to favour the batsmen, England left-arm seamer Luke Wood (2-0-22-2) did well to limit the damage while legspinner Adil Rashid, who conceded just four runs in his first over, finished with 1-24 after his second.

Tristan Stubbs struck a six and a four in his 13 from six balls to give South Africa an important late boost but, as satisfying as victory always is, this one was a little too farcical to rank among any favourites.

The second match of the series is scheduled to take place at Old Trafford in Manchester on Friday with the final contest at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Sunday.

---

ENGLAND: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wkt), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (captain), Sam Curran, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.

SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram (capt), Ryan Rickleton (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kwena Maphaka, Kagiso Rabada, Lizaad Williams

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma questioned his side's attitude after they were thrashed by 342 runs against England in the largest defeat in ODI history on Sunday.

Chasing 415 to complete a clean-sweep of the three-match series, the Proteas were bowled out for just 72 in 20.5 ignominious overs in Southampton.

It was the biggest winning margin in the history of the ODI format when batting first, surpassing India's 317-run victory against Sri Lanka in 2023.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 VICTORY by 342 runs! 🦁

The biggest ever winning margin in Men's ODI cricket! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hJ2eqEZJZT

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2025

South Africa narrowly avoided falling short of their lowest ODI total of 69 against Australia in 1993.

England's previous biggest margin of victory was a 242-run success against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2018.

Bavuma admitted South Africa's sloppy fielding, which included several dropped catches, was emblematic of their woeful performance.

"It's a downer. We were just poor to be honest, in all departments. Fielding is always about attitude, and looking at our fielding and some of the catches you could question where our attitude is," Bavuma said.

"With the ball at some point something went horribly wrong. The extras as well with the ball, far from ideal.

"With the bat it was always going to be tough, and their bowlers really put us under pressure. We didn't have a chance.

"To sum it up, a poor game of cricket from us."

South Africa had won the first two games of the three-match series, but Bavuma insisted lack of motivation was not a factor in their embarrassing surrender.

"I think as an international sportsman you can't use that as an excuse. Every game you're playing for your country. There have been changes within our team with players rested so our depth has been tested," he said.

"For those guys it shows how much of a step up it is for international cricket.

"We have conversations about our depth and when premium players aren't there, because it takes a squad to go and win trophies."

'THE ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE'

Although South Africa's astonishing collapse will take a while for Bavuma to process, he took heart from their overall form.

The ODI series win against England came after victory against Australia in the same format recently.

"We are moving forward, we are taking positive strides forward, the team is shaping up nicely," Bavuma said.

"I think looking at the way we were against Australia, we are starting to answer those question marks about our team."

England's fifth highest ODI total of 414-5 was more than enough to see off South Africa.

After Jacob Bethell smashed 110 from just 82 balls for his maiden professional century and Joe Root reached a typically efficient 100, Jofra Archer set about demolishing the South Africans.

The pace bowler finished with impressive figures of 4-18 in nine overs as he removed four of South Africa's top five batsmen.

It was the kind of fearsome form that underlined why England are so keen to keep Archer fit for the Ashes series in Australia later this year.

Just absolute 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2hcAAKx9mN

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2025

"It was awesome to see Jofra bowling rockets there. To have that in your side, it's quite frightening," England captain Harry Brook said.

"We were awesome with the bat, put them under pressure all the way through that innings and the bowling just speaks for itself. It was the ultimate performance."

Amid questions over England's decision to fast-track Bethell into the team in all formats, the 21-year-old allrounder proved a point with 13 fours and three sixes.

Every boundary from Jacob Bethell’s maiden England ton👌

Here’s to many more! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/tyhiB52glb

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2025

Saluting Bethell's vibrant innings, Brook added: "That's just the beginning. I said that to him at lunch.

"Everyone knows how good he is. I'm glad he's got that first century and hopefully now the floodgates open."

England fast bowler Jofra Archer destroyed South Africa’s top order with an opening spell of 4-10 in seven overs after centuries from Jacob Bethell and Joe Root had led England to a daunting total of 414-5 as the home side claimed a consolation, record victory by 342-runs in the third and final one-day international at Southampton’s Rose Bowl on Sunday.

South Africa collapsed to an astonishing 24-6 before being dismissed for just 72 to take significant gloss off their series victory achieved with victories by seven wickets and five runs in the first two matches at Headingley and Lord’s on Tuesday and Thursday.

Only Tristan Stubbs (10) reached double figures among the top six batsmen with Temba Bavuma injuring a calf muscle in the field and unable to bat with Archer’s searing pace having Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Matthew Breetzke caught by ‘keeper Jos Buttler and Stubbs at second slip.

Just absolute 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2hcAAKx9mN

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2025

Brydon Carse (6-1-33-2) induced a leading edge to mid off from Wiaan Mulder and an edge to second slip from Dewald Brevis.

Adil Rashid (3-13) knocked over the tail to complete South Africa’s embarrassment.

Bethell’s first professional century and a 19th in ODIs from Root put the hosts in an impregnable position but Archer (9-3-18-4) humiliated them.

Remarkably, South Africa’s commendable back-to-back series victories against Australia and England (2-1 in both) concluded with record totals against them by both teams and record victory margins.

The 431-2 and 276-run defeat in Mackay was Australia’s largest total and victory against South Africa – England’s win by 342-runs was not just their highest against South Africa, it was the largest victory margin in the history of ODI cricket.

BETHELL & ROOT LEAD ENGLAND'S CHARGE

Precociously talented left-hander, Bethell, repaid the faith shown in him with a dazzling 110 from just 82 balls with 13 fours and three sixes before Keshav Maharaj fired a delivery well wide of off-stump to have the charging 21-year-old comfortably stumped by Ryan Rickelton.

It was a memorable display of shot-making.

How special was that!? 😍
Simply incredible, Jacob Bethell 👏 pic.twitter.com/VMWBdPPKLE

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2025

Veteran Root was in his element playing the anchor role while opener Jamie Smith (62 from 48 balls) and Bethell were providing the fireworks.

Root drove and cut just six boundaries during his innings but rotated the strike superbly, scoring at just over a run-a-ball throughout before slicing a low full-toss from the persevering Bosch (2-79) to backward point to depart for exactly 100.

The Utilita Bowl stands for Joe Root 🫡

Another glorious ton for the 🐐👏 pic.twitter.com/p8nEe63Opr

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2025

Smith and Ben Duckett (31) gave England a flying start with an opening stand of 59 in just 8.3 overs before Duckett miscued a drive against Bosch to Markram running towards the boundary from mid off.

Smith, too, skied a drive against Maharaj (8-0-61-2) to long off where Bosch held the catch.

England’s progress would not have been as smooth had Breetzke held a straightforward catch at cover with Smith on 23 and Nandre Burger a slightly trickier one at mid on when Bethell toe-ended a pull against Wiaan Mulder.

They also conceded 27 extras including 19 wides.

England captain Harry Brook carelessly ran himself out attempting an unlikely single but that merely signalled the arrival of former captain Buttler in simmering form with an unbeaten 62 from only 32 deliveries, including eight fours and huge six against Maharaj over midwicket.

Will Jacks added the final blows with an unbeaten 18 from eight balls.

It was an inauspicious debut for Codi Yusuf whose 10 wicketless overs cost 80 and an equally forgettable innings for Burger whose barren 10 cost him 95 runs.

---

ENGLAND: Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Jos Buttler (wkt), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.

SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wkt), Temba Bavuma (captain), Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Codi Yusuf, Nandre Burger.

England announced on Friday that they were resting opening batsman Ben Duckett from an upcoming T20 series against South Africa following successive one-day international losses to the Proteas, with Sam Curran recalled for the first time this year.

Duckett, a first-choice all-format player, was out for scores of five and 14 in this week's two ODIs, with defeats at Headingley and Lord's leaving England 2-0 down in a three-match contest ahead of Sunday's finale in Southampton.

The usually lively left-hander has looked weary after being one of a handful of England cricketers involved throughout a gruelling five-test series at home to India before a month of action in the domestic 100 balls per side Hundred competition.

Duckett is set for a key role at the top of England's order when they bid to regain the Ashes in Australia starting in November. It remains to be seen if he will keep his ODI place at Hampshire's Rose Bowl ground this weekend.

England white-ball captain Harry Brook had rejected suggestions Duckett should be rested immediately after Thursday's five-run loss at Lord's, but team management appear to have changed course.

They also seem to have had a rethink about the role of Surrey all-rounder Curran, whose England exile has coincided with head coach Brendon McCullum taking over as limited-overs boss in addition to his Test duties.

Curran was a key figure as the Oval Invincibles won a third straight Hundred title. As well as being added to the England T20 squad to face South Africa, he will also join the three-match trip to Ireland.

His value as a seam-bowling all-rounder was thrown into sharp focus as South Africa secured an ODI series win at Lord's after plundering part-time spinners Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks for 112 runs in 10 overs.

England great Stuart Broad, speaking before Friday's announcement, urged some of the all-format players be given a break ahead of the Ashes.

"I thought England looked a bit tired," he told Sky Sports. "It's understandable."

"They played 25 days solid, hard cricket against India in the test series, and two days later they were straight into The Hundred. Now they're playing a white-ball series, and the winter is only getting busier.

"Now they have lost this series I would be half-tempted to send Ben Duckett and Joe Root up the M1 (motorway to go home) rather than down to Southampton," the former paceman added.

"I think there are some jaded minds," said Broad.

Lungi Ngidi has long been known for his ability to outthink batters, and in the second ODI against England at Lord’s he delivered yet another masterclass in variation.

His weapon of choice? The slower ball — a delivery that has become his signature and a consistent wicket-taker across formats.

What a ball from Lungisani Ngidi 😮‍💨🇿🇦

Watch #ENGvSA live on SuperSport in one of 3 language options 🎙️

📺 Stream on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/2DpQiSblhl

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 4, 2025

Ngidi’s dismissal of Jos Buttler was a moment of pure craft.

With England looking to rebuild, Buttler misread the pace and was completely deceived by Ngidi’s off-cutter, spooning a simple catch to mid-off.

It was a crucial breakthrough, and one that showcased Ngidi’s tactical brilliance and calm execution under pressure.

Pollock highlighted how Ngidi’s slower ball has evolved into a lethal weapon, especially in high-pressure moments.

“It’s not just about taking pace off,” Pollock noted. “It’s about selling the deception — and Ngidi does that brilliantly.”

Matthew Breetzke became the first batter in one-day international history to pass 50 in his first five innings with a brilliant score of 85 to help South Africa to a formidable total of 330-8 before a consummate bowling and fielding display earned South Africa a nail-biting win by just five-runs in the second ODI against England at Lord’s on Thursday.

The Proteas clinched the three-match series following their overwhelming seven-wicket victory against the hosts in the first match at Headingley in Leeds on Tuesday.

England required a record run-chase and it began in dramatic fashion with Nandre Burger finding Jamie Smith’s inside edge with the first ball before fellow opener Ben Duckett was bowled reverse-sweeping Keshav Maharaj for an uncharacteristically laboured 14 from 33 balls with just a single four.

But half centuries from Joe Root (61), Jacob Bethell (58) and Jos Buttler (61) kept England in the game and, with Will Jacks (39) smashing boundaries in the final five overs – including a reverse-swept six against spinner Senuran Muthusamy – England’s hopes flickered until the final over before they were restricted to 325-9.

Jofra Archer lashed an unbeaten 27 from 14 balls with a pair of fours and sixes but was unable to score the 16 required to win off the final over bowled by the nerveless Muthusamy.

Breetzke faced just 77 balls striking seven fours and three sixes and adding 147 with Tristan Stubbs who looked set for an even bigger score having reached a composed 58 from 62 balls before Dewald Brevis declined a second run leaving his partner stranded and run out.

Matthew Breetzke becomes the first player to score five half-centuries in his first five ODI innings 🇿🇦🔥

📺 Stream #ENGvSA on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/1FdDYH8fX6

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 4, 2025

Brevis atoned for his error reaching a withering 42 from just 20 balls with a trio of sixes and fours as England’s part-time spinners Jacks (5-0-51-0) and Bethell (5-0-61-1) came under fire. Left-armer Bethell did have the consolation of a sliced drive to backward point which ended the Brevis onslaught.

An opening partnership of 73 in 13 overs laid the perfect platform with Ryan Rickelton (35 from 33 balls) dominating before top-edging a slog-sweep against Jofra Archer (4-62) while Aiden Markram was more circumspect in compiling 49 from 64 balls before chipping a return catch to the excellent Adil Rashid who also had Temba Bavuma caught behind with a text-book legspinner to finish with 2-33 from his 10 overs.

Breetzke was trapped lbw by an Archer slower ball and was marginally embarrassed when his review showed the ball to be hitting halfway up middle stump but his place in ODI history was secured after innings of 150 and 83 in Pakistan last year followed by 57 and 88 against Australia two weeks ago.

Corbin Bosch marshalled the final overs to finish with an important, unbeaten 32 from 29 balls with nine of the last 10 ODIs at Lord’s having been won by the team batting first with an average score of 290. It was a small innings which had a large impact.

Maharaj (2-59) once again made a huge contribution having Root stumped by Rickelton while Burger effectively ended England’s hopes when Jacks (39) skewed a slower ball to cover. Bethell sliced the excellent Bosch (10-1-38-1) to cover, Brook was undone by turn and bounce from Muthusamy (8-0-61-1) and Buttler was bowled by a superbly disguised slower ball from Lungi Ngidi who bowled far better than figures of 1-72 would suggest.

The third and final match will be played at Southampton’s Rosebowl on Sunday.

---

ENGLAND: Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Jos Buttler (wkt), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood.

SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wkt), Temba Bavuma (captain), Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.

England captain Harry Brook admitted "nobody wants to come and watch that" after his side suffered a humiliating seven-wicket loss to South Africa in Leeds on Tuesday.

An opening one-day international scheduled for 100 overs was finished inside 46, with England dismissed for a mere 131 as they lost their last seven wickets for just 29 runs at their skipper's Headingley home ground.

Jamie Smith (54) played the only England innings of note as left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (4-22), the world's top-ranked ODI bowler, and allrounder Wiaan Mulder (3-33) did the bulk of the damage.

South Africa opener Aiden Markram, with 86 off 55 balls, continued the rout as the Proteas went 1-0 up in a three-match series ahead of Thursday's second ODI at Lord's.

The @ProteasMenCSA take the lead in the three-match ODI series against England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇿🇦#ENGvSA | #SSCricket pic.twitter.com/AfmoYhhBQi

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 2, 2025

"It's not good enough. I can't say much more than we've just had a bad day," said Brook.

"Nobody wants to come and watch that," he added after a chastening defeat which ended the six-game winning streak, all against the West Indies this season, that marked the start of the Yorkshireman's reign as England's white-ball captain.

England came into the match with no 50-overs-per-side preparation against a South Africa side fresh from a 2-1 series win in Australia.

But Brook, involved in a thrilling drawn test series with India that was followed by the recently concluded Hundred competition, refused to blame the schedule for a woeful defeat.

"In my eyes that's an excuse," he said. "We're not a team that makes excuses up."

Markram was especially severe on Sonny Baker, whose first seven overs in international cricket cost 76 runs –the most expensive return by an England debutant in ODIs.

Brook, explaining why he let Baker suffer such punishment, said: "I was just trying to get him a wicket, to be honest.

"He hasn't had the greatest of days, but the energy he brought and the desire to just keep on hammering away was awesome to see... Markram played some unbelievably good shots in there as well, so hats off to him."

Maharaj, meanwhile, was taken aback by England's display.

"We didn't expect the England batters to fall short like that," he said. "The way we started, we put on a lot of pressure with the ball.

Maharaj, who praised Markram for "taking the game by its horns," added: "It was a long journey from Australia, but a lot of momentum was carried from that series and we stayed true to our processes."

Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj spearheaded an outstanding bowling and fielding display by South Africa which saw England capitulate to an embarrassing total of 131 all out before Aiden Markram scythed his way to an extraordinary 86 from just 55 balls to lead the visitors to an overwhelming seven-wicket victory in their one-day international at Headingley in Leeds on Tuesday afternoon.

The pair shared seven wickets with Mulder claiming 3-33 in just seven overs while left-arm spinner Maharaj grabbed the last two wickets to finish with a remarkable 4-22 in only 5.3 overs.

Markram smashed debutant fast bowler, Sonny Baker, for 34 runs in his first two overs with the new ball before opening partner Ryan Rickelton had scored a single run and the pace barely relented with Baker finishing with the chastening figures of 7-0-76-0 in stark contrast to the seasoned Jofra Archer whose five overs cost just eight runs.

Responding to coach Shukri Conrad’s appeal to “show off a bit more” Markram produced his full array of strokes on both sides of the wicket producing 13 fours and two sixes before driving legspinner Adil Rashid to cover within sight of the most unlikely century, given the size of the target.

Power hitting at its finest 🤝💥

Aiden Markram secures his 14th half-century in the ODI format 🏏

📺 Stream #ENGvSA on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/iDJlPCOTsE

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 2, 2025

Rickelton, in contrast, struggled for rhythm and timing but, with no pressure, was happy to simply bat until the end finishing on 31 from 59 balls while captain Temba Bavuma (6) and Tristan Stubbs (0) were dismissed with the scores level.

The game concluded in the 21st over with only 45.2 of the scheduled 100 required to complete the match.

Dewald Brevis sends it flying to close the show for South Africa 🤩🇿🇦#ENGvSA | #SSCricket pic.twitter.com/ESjPSlHtmS

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 2, 2025

REMARKABLE CATCH

Mulder had England’s top-scorer Jamie Smith brilliantly caught at long leg by Corbin Bosch for a counter-attacking 54 from just 48 balls before snaffling two wickets with consecutive deliveries in his sixth over to finish with 3-33.

Nandre Burger (1-28) began England’s demise with a fine away-swinger to have opener Ben Duckett (5) caught by ‘keeper Ryan Rickelton and Lungi Ngidi (1-20) dismissed Joe Root (14) in similar fashion although it required a remarkable catch by Rickelton who dived far to his right but still needed a second grab as the ball squirmed from his glove as he landed.

That's some catch 👏

Root falls to Rickelton's grab 🤲

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #ENGvSA 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/phUds32FZo

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 2, 2025

Captain Harry Brook (12) was run out by a powerful throw from Tristan Stubbs from the cover boundary after a wretched mix-up with Smith but at 102-3 with Smith and former captain Jos Buttler at the crease hopes of consolidation remained strong.

England's skipper is sent back to the changing room 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇿🇦

The hosts are 82/3 after 14 overs 👇

📺 Stream #ENGvSA on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/9INkVdywRO

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 2, 2025

Instead, the home side lost their last seven wickets for just 29 runs in just 6.5 overs starting with Smith’s mistake against Mulder.

Buttler’s stuttering innings of 15 ended with an inside edge against Mulder to Rickelton, Jacob Bethell (1) edged Maharaj to Markram at slip before Will Jacks (7) pushed a tame return catch to the bowler.

Maharaj trapped Adil Rashid lbw and bowled last man and debutant, Sonny Baker, first ball to end the innings after just 24.3 overs.

Keshav Maharaj, proving why he’s the world’s No. 1 in ODIs! 🌟

A brilliant, match-winning spell of 4/22 that showcased his class and earned him Player of the Match honours. 🇿🇦🔥 #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/42w36nHEEo

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) September 2, 2025

South Africa had never won an ODI in five attempts at the venue but corrected that record in emphatic fashion.

The three-match series concludes with the second match at Lord’s on Thursday and the third at Southampton’s Rose Bowl on Sunday.

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ENGLAND: Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Jos Buttler (wkt), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Sonny Baker.

SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wkt), Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.

South Africa will be without strike bowler Kagiso Rabada for Tuesday's opening one-day international against England at Headingley, captain Temba Bavuma revealed ahead of the clash.

The 30-year-old is still recovering from an ankle injury suffered in Australia, where South Africa won a three-match ODI series last month.

Matthew Breetzke, who has started his ODI career with four consecutive scores of 50 or more, injured his hamstring in the second of the ODIs against Australia and also sits out the opening clash against England as a precautionary measure.

Teenage pace bowler Kwena Maphaka, 19, will also not play as Bavuma said his workload was being managed, but he could yet feature in the limited overs clashes in England.

The three ODIs are followed by three Twenty20 internationals.

The Proteas Men add England to their ODI hit list 😤🎯

Watch every match 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 and 𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 on SuperSport 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇿🇦#SSCricket | #ENGvSA pic.twitter.com/WvkurEmc8Y

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 1, 2025

"Kwena is an exciting player; he is still probably on the raw side, but that makes him even more exciting. He is a bit more awkward to face than other lefties, and he may have a role to play in these weather conditions," Bavuma told a press conference on Monday.

Veteran pinch-hitter David Miller also misses out on the ODIs but is in the squad for the T20s.

He remains in contention for the 2027 World Cup squad, added Bavuma.

The 36-year-old has not played international cricket since the Champions Trophy in March and missed the tour to Australia because he was playing in the Hundred competition in England.

"Any international commitments that occurred during the Hundred, David wasn't available for. Unfortunately, he wasn't part of our build-up for the ODIs. But then with the T20 stuff, the Hundred is done, he'll fall back into the team," the South Africa captain explained.

"David's still within the mix in the ODI stuff," he added.

Team: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wicketkeeper), Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.

Pace bowler Sonny Baker will make his England debut in the first one-day international against South Africa on Tuesday after impressing in the Hundred.

The 22-year-old will line up alongside Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse in a three-man pace attack at Headingley.

We've named our XI for the 1st Metro Bank ODI tomorrow and there's a debut for Sonny Baker!

See the full XI 👇

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 1, 2025

Baker took nine wickets in seven appearances for the Manchester Originals in the Hundred franchise competition, including a hat-trick against England white-ball captain Harry Brook's Northern Superchargers last month.

"He's been awesome in the Hundred. We've seen him bowl at some of the best batters in the world and he's had them on toast," said Brook.

The skipper praised Baker's pace, ability to swing the ball and his bowling at the end of matches.

"Quite a lot of people are excited to see where he goes," he added. "It looks like he has quite a lot about him."

The team announcement came as England allrounder Jamie Overton ruled himself out of contention for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia, placing his red-ball career on hold.

"After a great deal of thought I have decided to take an indefinite break from red-ball cricket," the Surrey paceman posted on social media.

"At this stage of my career, with the demands of cricket across a 12-month calendar, it's no longer possible to commit fully to all formats at every level, both physically and mentally."

The 31-year-old won his second test cap against India in late July and had a strong chance of featuring in the squad for the Ashes despite a mixed outing at The Oval.

Tomorrow, a dream comes true! 🙌

Go well, Sonny! 💪 pic.twitter.com/PlvtpQQVGT

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 1, 2025

Brook was taken aback by Overton's decision, saying: "I'm a little bit shocked to be honest. I'd heard rumours but I hadn't heard it from him until today.

"It would have been nice to have him there in the Ashes. When he is fully fit and firing he bowls thunderbolts and he can whack it out of the park."

Overton was last month named in England's white-ball squad to face South Africa but head coach Brendon McCullum has preferred Baker for the opening match.

The first ODI in Leeds kicks off a three-match series against the Proteas, which is followed by three T20s.

England team: Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (capt), Jos Buttler (wkt), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Sonny Baker

South Africa’s white-ball squads are about to enter the second half of one of the more challenging itineraries in recent years with the first of three one-day internationals against England on Tuesday, just six days after arriving from northern Queensland in Australia.

The majority of the players in England started their journey from Mackay at 6am last Monday before flying to Brisbane and onwards to either Sydney or Perth depending on which group they were in.

The Sydney fliers had a refuelling stop enroute to London while the Perth contingent had the ‘privilege’ of experiencing one of the longest commercial flights in the world to Heathrow, a mere 17 hours in the air.

Not that any of them will be complaining when the first one-day international starts at Headingley in Leeds on Tuesday when they will have the opportunity to build on the momentum of a fifth consecutive series win against Australia (2-1) achieved in Cairns and Mackay before floundering to a record 276-run defeat in the final game when collective attention might have been understandably focussed on the 28-hour journey the following day.

Among the key personnel changes between the two legs are the return of David Miller to the T20 squad – he was not considered for the Australia leg, having been granted permission to play in England’s Hundred competition before the tour was announced – and Keshav Maharaj who was “disappointed” to have been omitted. Both have the opportunity to reaffirm their importance in the shortest format ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

But the ODI series precedes the T20s and both teams, like all of the major nations, are short of game time in the 50-over format. For many players the series offers an opportunity to ‘rediscover’ the rhythm and tempo required amidst the abundance of T20 cricket.

The 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia may seem like a long way ahead, but time moves quickly and resounding individual performances might go a long way towards a place in the final squad.

Matthew Breetzke’s record-breaking start in the format with scores of 150, 83, 88 and 57 in his first four matches might make him a ‘banker’ at No 4 – but what about Dewald Brevis whom coach Shukri Conrad said “has made the No 4 spot his own” in the T20 format after his national record 125* in Australia. And Tristan Stubbs, and Miller? There is an abundance of middle order riches.

Donovan Ferreira’s pyrotechnic form in The Hundred has given him another chance to re-establish his national credentials in T20 cricket while yorker specialist, Lizaad Williams, is fighting his way back after a long injury break.

The return of Marco Jansen also casts a light on the once depleted allrounder stocks but is there a place for Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch? Senuran Muthsamy is pushing Maharaj hard for the spinner’s berth – could both play, as they did in Australia?

Full houses at some of England’s finest venues will provide a test of temperament as much as skill – the difference in temperature between northern Australia and England in September might also provide a challenge.

As will an exceptionally strong England squad under the captaincy of Harry Brook who will, of course, still have the unique skills of his predecessor, Jos Buttler, one of the greatest limited overs batsmen.

ENGLAND ODI SQUAD:

Jos Buttler (wkt), Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Jacon Bethell, Jamie Smith, Tom Banton, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Sonny Baker.

SOUTH AFRICA ODI SQUAD:

Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wkt), Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony De Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Matthew Breetzke, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi.

ENGLAND T20I SQUAD:

Jos Buttler, Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Harry Brook (captain), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Liam Dawson, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Luke Wood.

SOUTH AFRICA T20I SQUAD:

Aiden Markram (captain), Ryan Rickelton, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, David Miller, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi.

FIXTURES:

SEPTEMBER:

2 – 1st ODI, Headingley, Leeds

4 – 2nd ODI, Lord’s, London

7 – 3rd ODI, Rosebowl, Southampton

10 – 1st T20I – Cardiff

12 – 2nd T20I – Old Trafford, Manchester

14 – 3rd T20I – Trent Bridge, Nottingham.

The South African Men’s selection panel has named the squads for next month’s white-ball tour against England. The tour features three one-day internationals (ODI) and three T20 Internationals (T20I) to be played across England and Wales from 02 - 14 September.

The 15-player T20I squad includes five changes from the recent series against Australia, with David Miller and Momentum Multiply Titans batter Donovan Ferreira making their return to the T20I setup for the first time since the series against Pakistan in December 2024. Spinner Keshav Maharaj has also earned a recall to the side.

Allrounder Marco Jansen (left thumb) and fast bowler Lizaad Williams (left knee) have been included in the T20I squad after recovering from their respective injuries.

Fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has been retained in the ODI squad as cover for Kagiso Rabada, who is continuing his recovery from an ankle injury. Rabada will travel with the ODI squad and is expected to be available for all three T20Is.

The 50-over squad heads to England from Australia on Monday, 25 August.

South Africa last toured the UK in 2022, where they drew the ODI series 1-1 and won the T20I series 2-1. The tour gets underway with the first ODI on 02 September at Headingley in Leeds.

Convenor Selector for the Proteas Men, Patrick Moroney said: “The recent tours to Zimbabwe and Australia have been invaluable, allowing us to test different matchups and give players a platform to perform.

“We saw some exciting young talent step up in Australia, proving their capabilities under pressure and with the T20 World Cup on the horizon, we now have a strong base of players to choose from.

“Our ODI approach will be similar to what we did in Australia, where we maintained consistency within the group to give them the best possible chance to win the series. We’re really looking forward to what will be an exciting tour of the UK.”

Proteas Men’s head coach Shukri Conrad added: “We’ll reassess Kagiso in England. We are hopeful that he will be available for part of the ODI series, but we’re prioritizing T20I cricket and will take a conservative approach. We won’t rush him back.

“We will also continue to manage Temba’s workload during the ODI series in the same way we did in the ongoing series against Australia.

“It’s great to have Marco back. He’s a fantastic all-format player who balances our side, he bowls up front and at the death, and hits the ball a long way. The plan was always to ease him and Lizaad back into international cricket through the shortest format.

“David’s return for the T20Is adds another dimension to our line-up, and he is eager to get going.

“Donovan has done particularly well in the leagues he’s played in. We know how destructive he can be at the end of an innings, and with his experience in The Hundred and playing in English conditions, it's the perfect time for him to rejoin the national squad.

“We were experimenting with the spinning allrounders in our most recent T20I series, and Keshav was always part of our broader plans. His return to the squad strengthens our spin options. Beyond his obvious skill with the ball, he brings calmness and leadership to the group,” concluded Conrad.

PROTEAS ODI SQUAD AGAINST ENGLAND

Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nandre Burger (WSB Western Province), Tony de Zorzi (WSB Western Province), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kwena Maphaka* (DP World Lions), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Senuran Muthusamy (Dafabet Warriors), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions) and Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors).

PROTEAS T20I SQUAD AGAINST ENGLAND

Aiden Markram (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Donovan Ferreira (Momentum Multiply Titans), Marco Jansen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kwena Maphaka* (DP World Lions), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Senuran Muthusamy (Dafabet Warriors), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors) and Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).

*DP World Lions fast bowler Lutho Sipamla will replace Maphaka in the South Africa A squad against New Zealand A.

FIXTURE (all times local)

1st ODI - Tuesday, 02 September at 13:00

England v South Africa - Headingley, Leeds

2nd ODI - Thursday, 04 September at 13:00

England v South Africa - Lord’s Cricket Ground, London

3rd ODI - Sunday, 07 September at 13:00

England v South Africa - Utilita Bowl, Southampton

1st T20I - Wednesday, 10 September at 18:30

England v South Africa - Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

2nd T20I - Friday, 12 September at 18:30

England v South Africa - Old Trafford, Manchester

3rd T20I - Sunday, 14 September at 14:30

England v South Africa - Trent Bridge, Nottingham