Carnage at Southampton! England rewrote the record books on Sunday, dismantling South Africa in the most brutal fashion ever seen in ODI cricket—a 342-run hammering, the heaviest defeat in history.
What was billed as a fight to avoid a whitewash turned into a nightmare for the Proteas, who collapsed for just 72 runs in 20 overs.
England had earlier piled up a towering 414/5, their fifth-highest total in ODIs. Rising star Jacob Bethell stole the show with a blistering 110 off 82 balls, his maiden century, while veteran Joe Root added a flawless ton of his own. Skipper Jos Buttler (62*) and opener Jamie Smith (62) ensured the scoreboard kept racing as South Africa wilted under relentless pressure.
When it was South Africa’s turn to bat, Jofra Archer turned executioner. Charging in at over 90mph, he ripped through the top order with 4/18, including four of the first five wickets. By the time Adil Rashid spun his way to three more, the Proteas were in ruins—losing by a margin never before witnessed in ODI cricket.
This record-breaking win surpassed India’s 317-run demolition of Sri Lanka in 2023, stamping England’s authority with a clean 3-0 sweep. For South Africa, it was nothing short of a cricketing humiliation—one that will sting for a long time.
⚡ With the T20 series beginning Wednesday, the Proteas must rise from the ashes fast, or risk another chapter of embarrassment.