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Bethell and Archer shine as England secure record-breaking ODI victory over South Africa
Third one-day international, Southampton
England 414-5 (50 overs): Bethell 110, Root 100
South Africa 72 all out (20.5 overs): Bosch 20; Archer 4-18
England won by 342 runs; SA win series 2-1
Jacob Bethell marked his arrival with a maiden professional century, while Jofra Archer spearheaded a dominant bowling display as England routed South Africa by a record 342 runs in the third one-day international in Southampton.
Despite the series already decided, the 21-year-old Bethell, a player of considerable promise, showcased his talent with an elegant 110 off 82 balls, guiding England to a formidable 414-5.
The left-handed Bethell forged a substantial 182-run partnership with Joe Root, who himself contributed a stylish 100 from 96 deliveries, setting the stage for Jos Buttler to accelerate the scoring with a blistering unbeaten 62 from just 32 balls.
England’s imposing total represented their highest ODI score in three years and their best on home soil since 2018. Bethell’s century, achieved in his 33rd international innings, also made him England’s second-youngest ODI centurion, trailing only David Gower.
South Africa’s performance fell short of the standards they had established in their impressive victories at Headingley and Lord’s, which had secured the series with a match to spare.
They offered Bethell a reprieve on 44, conceded 19 wides, and were reduced to 72-9 in just 20.5 overs before shaking hands, with Temba Bavuma unable to bat. England’s emphatic victory marked the largest margin of victory in the history of men’s ODIs, in terms of runs.
Archer’s devastating opening spell yielded four wickets, dismantling the Proteas’ top order and leaving them reeling at 7-4 and 24-6. He concluded with figures of 4-18, supported by Adil Rashid’s 3-13.
While the series outcome was already determined, this resounding win served as a significant morale boost for England following a challenging period in the 50-over format.
The two teams will now contest a three-match T20 series, commencing on Wednesday in Cardiff.
England seal biggest winning margin in ODI history – as it happened
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Bethell scores ‘magnificent’ first hundred
As dead rubbers go, England could not have asked for more.
Yes, the thumping win is largely irrelevant but a breakout innings for a player the hierarchy rate so highly made it a near-perfect afternoon.
Bethell’s summer has been curious. Having given up his Test place by staying at the Indian Premier League, he has barely played. Before this match, he admitted he had made a mistake by playing so little cricket.
But rhythm that was relocated in scoring 58 at Lord’s on Thursday was on full show again.
He was again promoted to number four to take on the world’s top-ranked bowler, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, and thrived with that responsibility and time.
An early straight six, one of three in his innings, against Maharaj settled Bethell into his work after which he pounced to pull anything short. One of those pulls was spilled by Nandre Burger at mid-on and there was also one top edge over the wicketkeeper but otherwise he stroked 16 eye-catching boundaries.
Bethell spent just four deliveries in the nineties but at no stage looked flustered.
He reached three figures by crashing through the covers and celebrated with his arms wide as the crowd cheered. This will surely be the first of many.
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Smith survives after ‘astonishing’ Breetzke drop
For all England were good, South Africa were similarly bad.
Before the Burger miss, Matthew Breetzke comically put down Jamie Smith on 23 when a leading edge from the opener, whose 62 put England on the front foot, looped to him at extra cover.
Afterwards, Root played the most Rootian of innings as the anchor.
He only hit two boundaries in reaching 50 and, though he did later hit one trademark reverse scoop, he largely accumulated. His dot ball percentage in reaching three figures was the second lowest in any of his 19 ODI tons.
Skipper Hary Brook bizarrely ran himself out after Bethell was stumped off Maharaj looking to continue the assault in the second half of the innings.
That only brought in Buttler, perfectly-timed for England in the 41st over, and he drove, ramped and pulled to provide a finale reminiscent of the hosts at their best.
In addition to the drop, Burger finished with 0-95 – the worst figures for South Africa in the format – while Codi Yusef’s 0-80 were the most expensive by a Proteas debutant.
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Best bits from Archer’s ‘rapid’ spell against South Africa
By the time they came to bat in gloomy conditions with the floodlights on, South Africa looked a beaten side.
Aiden Markram nicked a wide delivery from Archer second ball and a sorry slide followed.
Archer’s pace topped 93mph. He nicked off Ryan Rickelton, bounced out Breetzke, whose run of reaching fifty in each of his ODI innings ended at five as he made four, and had Tristan Stubbs taken at second slip.
At the end of his first seven overs he had remarkable figures of 4-10 and though he did not find a fifth when he returned in search of the final wicket, his burst provided another jolt of excitement now that he is back fully fit.
England batter Jacob Bethell to BBC Test Match Special: “It feels pretty good. A few emotions pouring through, but it feels unbelievable and to do it, and in a convincing win like that, it’s even more important.
“I wouldn’t say relief, I don’t listen to what people say to be honest. It was nothing to do with other people – I wanted it for myself and the team. It was a great feeling, an addicting feeling and hopefully more to come.”
Player of the match, England bowler Jofra Archer: “I just tried to hit the pitch hard and bowl straight and that’s it. Sometimes, you’re going to bowl well and come out with nothing like at Headingley then some days you’ll get some like today.
“I’m feeling good. I didn’t think I would play this one, in the past it would’ve been like workload management but getting to play three games in a row, that means a lot.”
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma: “We were just poor to be honest, in all departments. Our fielding really let us down. 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, Archer and Carse, we didn’t have a chance.
“To sum it up – a poor game of cricket from us.”
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