Breetzke leads South Africa to narrow win over England to seal series

South Africa’s Matthew Breetzke became the first player to score half-centuries in each of his first five ODI appearances to set up his side’s gripping series-clinching five-run victory over England at Lord’s on Thursday (September 5, 2025).

Breetzke scored 85 and shared in a 147-run fourth-wicket partnership with Tristan Stubbs as South Africa recovered from losing three quick wickets to post a formidable 330-8.

Tasked with pulling off a record ODI run chase at Lord’s, England lost Jamie Smith first ball but fluent partnerships between Joe Root and Jacob Bethell and then Harry Brook and Joss Buttler kept them in the hunt.

When Buttler was bowled by a magical slow ball from Lungi Ngidi for 61, the same score that Root had scored before being stumped off the bowling of spinner Keshav Maharaj, South Africa were in the driving seat.

Will Jacks responded with some big hitting until he was dismissed for 39 to leave England’s hopes of an improbable victory looking forlorn.

Some courageous late hitting by Jofra Archer, including two sixes, induced some South African jitters but England ended on 325-9 to give the visitors an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

The combined 655 runs scored was the most ever in an ODI at Lord’s but that was scant consolation for England who at least restored some pride after being routed in the first match on Tuesday when they were bowled out for 131.

“It got exciting for everyone watching. They just kept coming. With the short boundary we knew it was going to be tricky,” South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma said.

“We held our nerve well and let them into the game more than we should have. A good victory all the same.”

Breetzke had now scored 463 runs at an average of 92 in his five ODI appearances for South Africa since making his debut in February and his knock ultimately proved the difference.

“It’s been good so far, hope it continues,” he said of his flying start in the ODI format. “Very happy, tricky at the start, thought a good score was 280.

“It was a bit of old-school cricket at the start, batsmanship… read the conditions then score at the back end.”

Put in to bat as the rain made way for showers, South Africa weathered an early storm and openers Aiden Markham and Ryan Rickelton put on 73 for the opening wicket in 13 overs.

The 26-year-old Breetzke walked in after Bavuma was caught off the bowling of Adil Rashid and when Markham was caught and bowled by the excellent Rashid for 49, South Africa were 93-3 and in danger of undoing their earlier good work.

But Breetzke played with huge confidence, striking seven fours and three sixes in his 77-ball innings that was eventually ended lbw by Archer who took four for 62.

Tristan Stubbs also reached a half century before being run out while Dewald Brevis smashed 42 from 20 balls as South Africa turned the screws in the latter stages of their innings to post the highest-ever ODI total from a touring side at Lord’s, surpassing India’s 326 in 2002.

England could not have made a worse start as Smith edging Nandre Burger’s first ball behind to wicket-keeper Rickelton.

Ben Duckett scratched around for 14 before being bowled by Maharaj but Root looked his classy self and Jacob Bethell bristled with intent in his knock of 58.

Bethell plundered 19 off one Maharaj over but was out slashing a delivery by paceman Corbin Bosch to backward point where Dewald Brevit took the catch.

When Root took a wild heave at Maharaj and was stumped it left England wobbling on 147-4.

Captain Brook and Buttler went along smoothly at a run a ball in a partnership of 69 that looked increasingly dangerous until Brook was deceived by a delivery by Senuran Muthusamy and popped up a running catch by Bavuma at extra cover.

After that, South Africa just about kept control. (Reporting by Martyn Herman Editing by Christian Radnedge)