England ended their ODI series against South Africa in emphatic fashion, securing a world record 342-run victory in the third and final match at Southampton.
Centuries from Joe Root and Jacob Bethell, combined with a fiery spell from Jofra Archer, powered the hosts to a statement win despite already losing the series.
Put in to bat after South Africa opted to field, England amassed 414 for 5 in their 50 overs. Opener Jamie Smith set the tone with 62 from 48 balls, before Root and Bethell took charge.
Bethell, just 20 years old, struck his maiden century in professional cricket, smashing 110 off 82 deliveries with 13 fours and three sixes. Root anchored the innings with a composed 100 from 96 balls as the pair added 182 for the third wicket.
Jos Buttler then provided a blistering finish, hitting an unbeaten 62 from 32 balls to propel England to their fifth-highest ODI total. Spinner Keshav Maharaj was the pick of South Africa’s bowlers with 2 for 61.
South Africa’s reply never got going. Archer’s pace and bounce proved unplayable as he reduced the visitors to 7 for 4 inside the opening overs. He finished with 4 for 18 in a devastating spell.
Adil Rashid offered superb support, taking 3 for 13, as South Africa were bowled out for 72 in just 24.1 overs. Captain Temba Bavuma, nursing a calf strain, did not bat.
The collapse ended Matthew Breetzke’s run of five consecutive ODI scores over 50, as he fell for 4 – his lowest international score.
The 342-run victory eclipsed the previous record margin of 317, set by India against Sri Lanka in 2023. While South Africa had already clinched the series 2-1, England’s crushing win offered a psychological edge ahead of the three-match T20I series starting in Cardiff on Wednesday.
It also mirrored South Africa’s struggles last month in Australia, when they conceded 431 and were bowled out for 155 in the third ODI despite having already won the series.
