South Africa clinched a one-day international series win over England with a game to spare after edging a dramatic second ODI at Lord’s Cricket Ground by just five runs.
After being sent in to bat, the Proteas recovered from 93-3 to post 330-8, with Matthew Breetzke leading the way with 85 in a 147-run fourth-wicket partnership alongside Tristan Stubbs (58).
Dewald Brevis (42) and Corbin Bosch (32* off 21) added late fireworks, while Aiden Markram (49) and Ryan Rickelton (35) had laid the foundations with a 73-run opening stand. Jofra Archer (4-62) and Adil Rashid (2-33) were the pick of a stretched England attack.
Chasing a record ODI score at Lord’s, England slipped to 147-4 after Joe Root (61) and Jacob Bethell (58) fell in quick succession.
Jos Buttler (61) and Harry Brook (33) revived hopes with a 69-run stand, before Lungi Ngidi (1-72) bowled Buttler to swing momentum back South Africa’s way.
Nandre Burger (3-63) then struck twice in an over, dismissing Will Jacks (39) and Brydon Carse, but Archer almost turned the match on its head with a thrilling late cameo.
He hammered 27 not out from 14 balls to leave England needing six off the final delivery, only to manage a single as they closed on 325-9.
The victory gave South Africa an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, setting up the Oval finale as a dead rubber.
Breetzke shines with another half-century
The tourists made a brisk start despite a 15-minute rain delay, reaching 73 before Rickelton top-edged Archer behind. Rashid quickly removed Temba Bavuma (4) and Markram (49), but Breetzke steadied nerves with his fifth consecutive ODI fifty.
After surviving an overturned caught-behind decision on 19, he raced to 85 from 77 balls before falling lbw to Archer.
Stubbs passed fifty but was run out after a mix-up with Brevis, who cleared the ropes three times in his lively 42. Bosch then closed strongly, ensuring South Africa passed 330 despite Archer striking twice at the death.
England’s fightback falls short
England’s reply got off to the worst possible start as Jamie Smith edged Burger’s first delivery. Ben Duckett (14) scratched around before falling to Maharaj, though a 66-run stand between Root and Bethell briefly put the hosts ahead.
Root posted his 43rd ODI half-century and Bethell reached his maiden fifty, but both perished within an over of each other.
Buttler and Brook rebuilt with purpose, but wickets continued to fall at crucial intervals. Buttler’s dismissal at 246-6 left too much to do, and despite Archer’s late hitting, South Africa held on to seal a famous series victory at Lord’s.
