England’s Dismal Collapse Leads to Defeat Against South Africa

LEEDS: In a disappointing performance, the England men’s cricket team stumbled to a seven-wicket loss against South Africa in the opening ODI of their three-match series at Headingley on Tuesday, marking several low points for the squad.

After being asked to bat first by South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, the English side, playing their first white-ball match following The Hundred, struggled significantly.

With the score at 102/3 and Jamie Smith holding the crease, his subsequent dismissal in the 18th over initiated a dramatic collapse. England’s final seven wickets fell for a mere 29 runs, resulting in a total of just 131 runs in 24.3 overs.

The paltry total represents their lowest score against South Africa in ODIs when batting first.

Moreover, the swift conclusion of their innings in just 24.3 overs marked their fifth-shortest all-out innings in the format.

Lowest ODI totals by England batting first against South Africa (completed innings)
England’s shortest all-out innings in ODIs

Keshav Maharaj, the accomplished left-arm spinner, spearheaded South Africa’s bowling attack, claiming four wickets for a mere 22 runs in 5.3 overs.

His impressive figures represent the best bowling performance by a spinner against England in ODIs, surpassing Imran Tahir’s 4/38 achieved in 2011.

Best figures by South African spinners against England in ODIs