South Africa came into the game at the venue where they famously won the World Test Championship final against Australia, leading the series 1-0 after a 7-wicket win in the first ODI at Headingley, Leeds, on Tuesday. On Thursday, the Proteas batted first in St John’s Wood, posting a competitive 330/8 from their 50 overs. 

Matthew Breetzke top-scored with 85 off 77 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes. Tristan Stubbs contributed a solid 58 off 62 before being run out by Will Jacks. Aiden Markram chipped in with 49 off 64, while Dewald Brevis added a rapid 42 from 20 balls, including three fours and three sixes.

Jofra Archer and Tristan Stubbs. Photo: Cricinfo

For England, paceman Jofra Archer was the standout bowler, returning figures of 4/62, while spinner Adil Rashid took 2/33.

In response, Joe Root and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler both scored 61, and Jacob Bethell made a quickfire 58 off 40 balls. The dismissal of Jack for 39 in the 47th over proved pivotal. Although Archer’s late surge of 27 not out off 14 balls nearly brought England level, the Three Lions ultimately fell just short.

Left-arm seamer Nandré Burger led the Proteas’ bowling attack with 3/63 from his 10 overs, supported by Keshav Maharaj, who claimed 2/59.

Breetzke, returning from a hamstring niggle, described the pitch as a challenging one, despite the high-scoring nature of the game, which saw 655 runs being scored.

“It was a challenging game, I think the partnerships we built with the bat were really important,” said Breetzke, who now has four fifties and a century (150 against New Zealand in Lahore) in just his fifth ODI.

“I don’t think the wicket was as easy as we expected. We were initially thinking around 280, but it got a bit easier as we batted. Playing at Lord’s, there’s nothing better.”

Nandré Burger and Jamie Smith - Cricinfo

He added that the team had a clear plan for which bowlers to attack and which to approach more cautiously.

“Rash (Adil Rashid) was in great form today, bowling really well and suited by the conditions. We had to grind it out against him and then look to score a bit more freely against the others,” Breetzke said.

The win handed the Proteas an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, with the third and final ODI scheduled for Sunday at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The first ball is set to be bowled at 12:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh