NEW DELHI: Heinrich Klaasen’s brilliant century gave South Africa a stunning 229-run victory over England in a dramatic World Cup showdown in Mumbai. The shock defeat left the reigning champions’ title defense in jeopardy and marked a record-breaking defeat in one-day internationals for England.
Klaasen showcased his batting prowess, scoring an impressive 109 runs despite battling cramps. South Africa posted a monumental total of 399-7, the highest ever conceded by England in ODIs.
ENGLAND VS SA: HOW IT HAPPENED | SCORECARD
England’s innings took a nightmarish turn as they sank to 68-6 and eventually finished on 170-9 with 28 overs to spare. Reece Topley was unable to bat due to a hand injury sustained during South Africa’s innings.
This crushing defeat was England’s most significant ODI defeat since their 221-run loss to Australia in Melbourne in 2002. In World Cup history, South Africa’s victory over England is now the sixth-highest victory by runs.
Klaasen’s century was supported by Marco Jansen’s crucial contribution in a sixth-wicket partnership of 151 runs in just 77 balls. Jansen remained unbeaten on 75 and scored his maiden ODI fifty with three fours and six sixes.
Jansen’s influence also extended to the bowling department, where he took two crucial wickets in his role as a left-arm pace bowler.
Even the return of Ben Stokes, playing his first game of the tournament, could not save England’s fortunes as he was caught and bowled by Kagiso Rabada after contributing just five runs.
This defeat was England’s third defeat in four games, including a shocking upset against Afghanistan in the final game, which made the route to the semi-finals increasingly difficult.
In contrast, South Africa’s comfortable victory served as a much-needed reprieve from their stunning defeat to the Netherlands, a country that does not play in Test matches.
Heinrich Klaasen’s explosive batting performance included six and four consecutive deliveries from fast bowler Mark Wood, who sealed his century off just 61 balls. He was eventually dismissed by Gus Atkinson in the last over after collecting twelve fours and four sixes.
South Africa’s attack saw them score 143 runs in the last 10 overs despite losing the toss.
Topley managed to take three wickets but conceded 88 runs in 8.5 overs while the speedy Wood went wicketless and conceded 76 runs in seven overs.
England, who won the toss, made the early breakthrough when Quinton de Kock fell behind on the second ball of the innings. However, opener Reeza Hendricks, a late recall due to Proteas captain Temba Bavuma’s illness, shone with 85 runs and a 121-run partnership for the second wicket with Rassie van der Dussen (60).
Adil Rashid was responsible for both Van der Dussen and Hendricks, but Jansen continued to torment England with back-to-back sixes from Topley’s full throws.
England opener Jonny Bairstow failed for just ten runs and Jansen’s impressive form continued as he dismissed Joe Root and Dawid Malan to leave England 24-3.
ICC World Cup, SA vs ENG: South Africa beat England by 229 runs
After Stokes’ departure, Gerald Coetzee grabbed two wickets in three balls, with England captain Jos Buttler getting the better of wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock and Harry Brook falling leg-before-wicket for 17 despite a desperate criticism.
South Africa’s dominance was highlighted when David Willey was spectacularly caught by Kagiso Rabada, who sprinted from the middle and took a diving catch, leaving England reeling at 100-8.
England’s lower-order strugglers Atkinson (35) and Wood (43 not out) delayed the inevitable but the game ended with Atkinson’s dismissal when he was bowled by spinner Keshav Maharaj.
(With AFP inputs)