South Africa series win leaves England with yet more questions to answer

If the hammering at Headingley could be fobbed off as just one of those nights, this defeat and series loss to South Africa exposed an unbalanced team which posed further questions about selection.

England are a bowler short and that leaves them relying on the batting line-up fully firing to give them a chance. But they are running out of energy, burnt out by an unrelenting summer schedule.

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They made a decent fist of their attempt to chase down the highest total to win an ODI at Lord’s, and a full house had their money’s worth after the Leeds crowd were short-changed on Tuesday.

The night reached the final over with 17 needed, with one wicket remaining, and the crowd hopeful that Jofra Archer could swing hard for an unlikely victory. Archer clonked two reverse hits for four off left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy, meaning a six off the final ball would take the game to a super over.

He wound himself up for the big swing down the ground but only managed an inside edge that dribbled to fine leg. Still, it was an entertaining finish even if South Africa’s five-run win was more one-sided than the result suggests.

“Until the last six to eight overs we thought that we could be back into the game with one big over. That is why we set the team up as it is. To get that close was a very good effort,” said England captain Harry Brook.

England have now lost five out of six ODI series since the 2023 World Cup debacle and are skulking down at eighth in the rankings. The top eight qualify for the next tournament in 2027 so while this series may have an understandable end-of-term feel about it, the fact is it matters and England need to start winning in this format.

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There is potential in this 50-over team but they lurched into this series straight after the Hundred. They have not had one practice session and within four days of the Hundred final at Lord’s on Sunday were 2-0 down and the series done.

The helter-skelter schedule has not helped, but is not why they lost this match. The balance of the team is off and it will need addressing. Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell both contributed with the bat, combining for almost 100 runs, but they could not add more than the 112 they conceded from the 10 overs combined they had to bowl because the attack is a bowler short.

England lack a seam-bowling all-rounder in the top seven. They have gone with Jacks and Bethell because of their batting potential. But while they can do a job with the ball in T20, 50-over cricket requires more from a bowler.

Where England are going with this balance of the team is mystifying when you consider the next 50-over World Cup is in South Africa, a place for pace and seam. England need a seam-bowling all-rounder who can bat in the top seven, but the only one with the credentials outside the squad is Sam Curran. But this regime thinks he is not quick enough so they have stuck with Bethell and Jacks. And while it was enough to beat a poor West Indies team in June, against better sides it is a gamble.

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England lost Jamie Smith to the first ball of the innings and both he and opening partner Ben Duckett, who looks uncharacteristically apprehensive at the crease, need a breather. Fifties from Joe Root, Jos Buttler and Bethell showed the potency of the batting, but nobody could stay in and make the century England needed. South Africa just had too many runs on the board and an attack that covered all bases.

Bethell was promoted to No 4 by a selfless Brook. England may say it was to continue the right hand-left hand partnership after Duckett and Root’s stand was broken up but really it was to give Bethell much-needed time at the crease. He was intent on playing shots and carved 24 in a seven-ball spree of free-wheeling shotmaking. His fifty took just 28 balls and with Root playing his usual anchor role, England were making headway.

But Bethell cut Corbin Bosch to backward point and in the next over Root was stumped, suckered by Keshav Maharaj tossing the ball up. England, at 147 for four, were starting to fade. Brook made a start and Buttler was hitting the ball cleanly but both fell just as England were fighting their way back. Jacks, too, gave hope with 39 from 33, but bunted a full toss to cover as England’s last real chance was snuffed out.

England replaced Sonny Baker with Saqib Mahmood, protecting the young quick after his torrid debut. Mahmood was the best of the seamers and while Archer broke the two biggest partnerships of the innings – the opening stand of 73 and the fourth wicket 147 between Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs – he looked weary at the end of his comeback summer. He improved his figures with two wickets in the final over.

England’s weak link was obvious. South Africa knew Brook would have to fiddle overs from his fringe spin bowlers. South Africa played the situation nicely, seeing off Adil Rashid for the loss of two wickets, content to sit in and wait for their chance when England’s soft underbelly was exposed.

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Jacks and Bethell conceded 112, Breetzke taking them apart as he became the first man to score a fifty in his first five ODIs with a well-paced 85 off 77, quietly seeing off Rashid before seizing his chance.

Rashid remains England’s banker and was the pick of the attack again with two for 33 from his 10 overs. But Breetzke played the situation superbly and it could be the start of a worrying trend when batsmen face England’s spin attack.

Temba Bavuma speaks to Sky Sports – ‘I am very proud’

On the series win…

“Very proud, good game of cricket, the people who came to watch were entertained. More than competitive score, definitely taken that when we were three-down.”

On who impressed him…

“With the ball Keshav showed his class and our fielding was much better. Bosch gives ability to bowl in and outside powerplay. He gave us a lot of control, particularly in the middle part of the innings. We don’t have a lot of options with lots of injuries, but we’ll enjoy the victory and go to Southampton to put together the best team possible.”

Harry Brook speaks to Sky Sports – ‘Thought it was a great effort from the lads’

On the defeat…

“They probably got 10-15 too many. I thought we did well to get within one blow of the target, thought that was a great effort from the lads.”

On the decision to promote Bethell up to No 4…

“We wanted to unsettle the spinners. They had two left-armers so wanted to keep it left-right as much as possible.”

On the bowling…

“I thought we were unlucky in the powerplay. There were few play and misses thought we were unlucky.”

On what needs to change for the third and final ODI on Sunday…

“Just little minute improvements really, we need early wickets but overall [today] I thought it was a great effort to get within one blow of the target.”

England gave a much better account of themselves here

Than at Lord’s BUT they still have much thinking to do regarding this format.

That’s just…

…South Africa’s second bilateral ODI series win in England, the first coming way back in 1998.

South Africa win by five runs

Mahmood gets a single off Muthusamy first up so Archer is on strike. He swings big, but it spins away from him and it’s a dot ball. He then tries what looks like a reverse pull and it’s a one-bounce four – that was a brilliant hit (he can bat…).

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Eleven from three needed…

It’s a dot ball as Archer hits to deep cover and declines the run…11 from two needed…he goes for the reverse again but it’s just for four…

Six needed off the last for a super over…Archer knows all about those…

Alas, Archer comes down the track and only succeeds in getting an inside edge for one.

And South Africa have won the match by five runs and with it the series. 

OVER 49: ENG 304/9 (Archer 18 Mahmood 1)

Archer pushes a single to mid-off meaning with two balls left in this over Mahmood is on strike. He has to try and take it to the final over…a dot ball is followed by Archer saying ‘just don’t get out’. He doesn’t but gets a single to deep cover…not sure that was a wise bit of cricket…surely he had to get Archer on strike for the start of the final over…

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RSA have been too slow and have to bring a feilder up for the last over…

England need 16 runs from 6 balls.

WICKET!

Rashid run out 2

Archer drags one across to the legside for two THEN hits to the legside again with some power for SIX. That ball from Burger was too short from Burger (19 from 10 needed…).

Archer then gets one out to deep mid-wicket, they go for a second run and Rashid is well short at the bowler’s end…

FOW – 313/9

OVER 48: ENG 304/8 (Archer 8 Rashid 2)

It’s Ngidi’s last over and he may fancy his chances of ending this before the 50 overs are up. There’s a solitary single from the first three deliveries before Archer swipes at it and just manages to clear long on for a maximum. Next up is four wides down the legside – from perfection (by Ngidi) to 10 off two, a bit of late hope for England. A single follows, then a dot ball…

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England need 27 runs from 12 balls.

OVER 47: ENG 291/8 (Archer 1 Rashid 1)

That wicket of Jacks, you have to think, is all but game, set and match for the South Africans.

England need 40 runs from 18 balls.

WICKET!

Jacks c Maharaj b Burger 39

Archer is the new man in and he needs to get Jacks on strike, he succeeds second ball to give Jacks three left in this over to try and pile on some runs…

(i) Burger bowls a brilliant slower ball that Jacks does not pick up at all. No run
(ii) Wide. One run
(iii) Wicket…

Its a full toss and Jacks finds Maharaj in the covers…game over?

FOW – 290/8

WICKET!

Carse c Markram b Burger 7

Carse tries to launch Burger into the pavilion but gets underneath it too much and finds the safer-than-safe hands of Markram.

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FOW – 288/7

OVER 46: ENG 288/6 (Carse 7 Jacks 39)

Jacks is the man who’ll have to do the heavy lifting if England are to pull this off and he starts this Muthusamy by reverse scooping the lefty for two. The spinner then shows a good bit of nous by pulling back his length for two dot balls. A much-needed boundary – a pull for four – follows and while Jacks is there there is still hope. As I type that Jacks reverse sweep majestically for a six. There is definitely still hope…

England need 43 runs from 24 balls.

OVER 45: ENG 276/6 (Carse 7 Jacks 27)

Ngidi again bowls his slower ball, but he’s so good at it that even though the batsmen know it’s coming they seem helpless in dealing with it, one to Jacks beats the Surrey man all ends up and somehow misses the stumps on the way to the keeper. Ngidi is far from a one-trick pony and this over sees him mix his pace well, but not well enough to prevent Jacks from picking a slower one and collars one legside for a Dorothy (Dix, six…)…Nine from the over, almost the required rate.

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England need 55 runs from 30 balls.

OVER 44: ENG 267/6 (Carse 7 Jacks 19)

Carse gives himself room and goes in to out to drive for four. He picked the gap well and, boy, did England need that – their first boundary in five overs (ouch!). Two singles and a two follow and the hosts are still deep in trouble…

England need 64 runs from 36 balls.

OVER 43: ENG 259/6 (Carse 2 Jacks 16)

Brydon Carse is the new man in and he is off the mark first ball with a single down to third man.

England need 72 runs from 42 balls.

Wicket

Buttler b Ngidi 61 How significant is that moment? A sublime slower ball from Ngidi deceives Buttler to end a quality innings. FOW 256/6

OVER 42: ENG 251/5 (Buttler 58 Jacks 14)

Jacks flicks one off his pads and it nearly finds the hands of mid-wicket but it lands safely and he comes back for two.

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Buttler then goes for the scoop but it ends up going down to third man for a single.

A single from Jacks takes England to 250.

England need 80 runs from 48 balls.

OVER 41: ENG 245/5 (Buttler 56 Jacks 10)

Ngidi is returning at the Pavilion End as we head into the final 10 overs of the match. Seven from the over.

OVER 40: ENG 238/5 (Buttler 51 Jacks 8)

That is poor from South Africa. The run-out was never on but the throw came in. It hits the stumps and Jacks and Buttler are aware enough that they take advantage and come through for two over-throws.

A single into the legside for Buttler brings up his 28th ODI fifty.

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England need 93 runs from 60 balls.

OVER 39: ENG 231/5 (Buttler 49 Jacks 3)

Buttler comes down the ground and swings hard but it comes off the toe of the bat. Jacks comes racing down the wicket looking for a run but is sent back by Buttler, getting back in time.

Buttler then opts for the switch-hit, which goes all the way for six. Stunning shot.

OVER 38: ENG 223/5 (Buttler 42 Jacks 2)

Burger is coming back on at the Nursery End. Mid-off is up inside the circle so Buttler takes advantage of a full delivery by Burger by going over mid-off and the ball races away for four.

England need 108 runs from 72 balls.

OVER 37: ENG 217/5 (Buttler 37 Jacks 1)

Will Jacks is in at number seven and he is off the mark second ball with a single up to long-off.

Wicket

Brook c Bavuma b Muthusamy 33 Big, big wicket. Brook is through a drive slightly early and the ball perhaps stick in the pitch a little. It turns and bounces a touch and the ball loops into the air, into the grateful hands of Bavuma at cover. Muthusamy did take some pace off the ball as it was down at about 47mph. FOW 216/5

OVER 36: ENG 215/4 (Buttler 36 Brook 33)

Bosch hits Buttler on the helmet so we are going to get the mandatory concussion check. Just three runs come from Bosch’s eighth over.

OVER 35: ENG 212/4 (Buttler 35 Brook 32)

With Maharaj bowled out, Muthusamy is on at the Pavilion End. Buttler decides the ball needs to find the stands so he belts him over long-on for six. That is a massive hit. Buttler then gets two through the covers.

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England need 119 runs from 92 balls.

OVER 34: ENG 200/4 (Buttler 26 Brook 29)

Brook gives himself room outside leg stump and carves one through the offside. It is middled and flat and, for a moment Brook’s heart would have been in his mouth, but it has enough to get just over Burger on the boundary and it is six.

A single up to mid-on brings up England’s 200.

OVER 33: ENG 193/4 (Buttler 26 Brook 22)

This match is finely poised. Maharaj will complete his ten overs right now. Good running allows Buttler to come back for two after a shot behind square on the legside.

Maharaj’s day with the ball is now done.

OVER 32: ENG 188/4 (Buttler 23 Brook 20)

Bosch’s first five overs have gone for just nine runs and he has a wicket to his name. Buttler is on the charge and comes down the ground, swatting one back past Bosch and away for four.

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Time for drinks.

England need 143 runs from 108 balls.

OVER 31: ENG 182/4 (Buttler 18 Brook 19)

Maharaj has just two overs remaining but he will continue. Brook sweeps hard behind square and gets four. A good over for England, eight runs coming from it.

OVER 30: ENG 174/4 (Buttler 16 Brook 13)

Buttler goes big at the end of Muthusamy’s over, smashing it over the bowler’s head for six, not far off hitting the Media Centre.

OVER 29: ENG 166/4 (Buttler 9 Brook 12)

This pair are just easing their way into their innings, knowing they can catch up later in their innings.

OVER 28: ENG 162/4 (Buttler 7 Brook 10)

Buttler struggles to get Muthusamy away in this over and England are only able to get three from the over.

OVER 27: ENG 159/4 (Buttler 6 Brook 8)

Buttler gets his first boundary courtesy of a shot we have seen many-a-time from Buttler; the reverse sweep. It beats point to his right and races away for four.

OVER 26: ENG 153/4 (Buttler 1 Brook 7)

It is going to be spin from both ends as Senuran Muthusamy is on for the first time. He drops too short and Brook punishes him by pulling away behind square for four, which brings up England’s 150.

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Buttler is off the mark second ball with a single.

OVER 25: ENG 147/4 (Buttler 0 Brook 2)

Jos Buttler is in at number six.

Wicket

Root st Rickelton b Maharaj 61 That feels like a killer blow potentially for England as they lose two quick wickets; criminal. Root comes down the ground, misses and it is the simplest of stumpings for Rickelton. FOW 147/4

OVER 24: ENG 145/3 (Root 60 Brook 1)

Captain Harry Brook joins Root in the middle and he is off the mark first ball with a single into the offside.

Wicket

Bethell c Brevis b Bosch 58 That is a big wicket in this chase. Bosch has been impressive with the ball and he gets a big breakthrough. Bethell goes after a wider delivery but only picks out Brevis at backward point, who takes a good catch as it came at him quickly. FOW 143/3

It’s a shame, that. Bethell has had a tricky summer but given plenty of opportunity, he was thriving. That is a glimpse of why England rate him so highly.

OVER 23: ENG 140/2 (Root 58 Bethell 56)

Ngidi deceives Bethell with a clever slower ball that only just goes over the stumps.

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A few balls later, Root comes across his stumps and knows there is a gap at wide mid-on, which he finds and the ball races away for four.

Ngidi has turned to his slower ball on a few occasions now and it has nearly brought him success.

OVER 22: ENG 134/2 (Root 53 Bethell 55)

This pair keep it ticking over, adding five in that over. They are ahead of where South Africa were at this point in their innings.

OVER 21: ENG 129/2 (Root 51 Bethell 52)

Maharaj’s spell is over and Ngidi is back on. Root seems content to play his role of the innings anchor whilst Bethell is continuing his onslaught.

England need 202 more runs to win.

OVER 20: ENG 127/2 (Root 50 Bethell 51)

Root has called for a change of bat as Markram, unsurprisingly is brought out of the attack. Burger is on for him.

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A lovely Root cover drive for a single brings up his 43rd ODI fifty in 58 balls. England are very lucky to have a player of Root’s calibre and reliability.

Bethell also brings up his 50, the fourth of his ODI career, by smashing Burger over mid-on’s head for four. Bethell’s came off just 28 balls.

OVER 19: ENG 121/2 (Root 49 Bethell 46)

Bethell is beginning to motor. Maharaj drops a tad short and Bethell is quick onto the back foot, pulling it away for six. Next ball, with mid-off in the circle, Bethell charges at Maharaj and smacks it down the ground for four.

Make that three straight boundaries. Bethell goes straight again, this time sticking in his crease, and gets it over mid-off’s head for four.

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Four consecutive boundaries! Maharaj is too short again and Bethell pulls in front of square for four. This is sublime batting from Bethell.

20 from the over.

OVER 18: ENG 101/2 (Root 48 Bethell 27)

Markram will continue and, like he did at the end of his previous over, Bethell goes for the sweep and gets four behind square.

Mid-on is inside the circle so Bethell goes down the ground. It is not the best contact and ends up being more of a chip shot that brings a couple. Bethell has clearly decided he is not going to let Markram settle and get through a few cheap overs.

Later in the over, Markram drops too short and Bethell nonchalantly pulls him over cow corner for six to bring up England’s 100. Markram has gone for 27 in two overs and you would imagine he will be taken out of the attack now.

OVER 17: ENG 87/2 (Root 47 Bethell 14)

Maharaj keeps it tight in that over, going for just two runs.

OVER 16: ENG 85/2 (Root 47 Bethell 13)

It will now be spin at both ends as Aiden Markram comes on at the Nursery End. Bethell flicks one to mid-wicket’s left and is able to come through for a couple.

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Markram then drops too short and Bethell powerfully forces it through the covers, again coming back for two.

Off the final ball, Bethell gets out the sweep and it sails into the stands for six.

OVER 15: ENG 72/2 (Root 45 Bethell 2)

Root flicks one off his pads fine and comes back for two. Four from the over and the rate is just starting to creep up.

Time for drinks.

OVER 14: ENG 68/2 (Root 42 Bethell 1)

Temba Bavuma will be delighted with the way Bosch is bowling as the runs are drying up for England. Bethell is off the mark off his second ball with a pull for one in front of square.

OVER 13: ENG 66/2 (Root 41 Bethell 0)

Jacob Bethell, a little surprisingly, joins Root in the middle. We thought it would be captain Harry Brook but Bethell it is.

Wicket

Duckett b Maharaj 14 An innings where he never looked comfortable comes to an end. Duckett goes for the reverse sweep and he misses. Maharaj says “you miss, I hit” and the ball crashes into the stumps. You have to say that was coming. FOW 66/2

OVER 12: ENG 63/1 (Root 38 Duckett 14)

Root drills a straight drive back at Bosch and the South African stops it. Bosch sends the throw back and Root has to scamper back into his crease.

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Bosch is bowling very well at the moment and the England batsmen are struggling to get him away; he has gone for just two runs in his first three overs.

OVER 11: ENG 62/1 (Root 37 Duckett 14)

As soon as the first powerplay is done, Temba Bavuma is turning to spin as Keshav Maharaj comes on. Maharaj is currently top of the ODI bowling rankings.

Duckett has not looked himself so far and you sense one of two things will happen; he will either go bang bang bang, scoring a flurry of boundaries, or get out.

Root gets the reverse sweep out to his first ball to Maharaj and it is half stopped. The ball does run away down towards third man and Duckett just about gets into his crease in time for three runs.

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England require 269 more runs to win.

OVER 10: ENG 56/1 (Root 33 Duckett 12)

Bosch has hit the ground running in this spell, offering up no freebies. Duckett decides to take matters into his own hands as he goes for the ramp but ends up hitting it into his stomach. He is not finding it easy out there.

That is the end of the first powerplay and you would probably say it was fairly even stevens.

OVER 9: ENG 55/1 (Root 33 Duckett 11)

Changes to the bowling at both ends as Ngidi has swapped the Nursery End for the Pavilion End. Like England, South Africa have three frontline seamers.

Duckett clips one off his pads from Ngidi and comes back for two. He is still not looking entirely happy out there.

OVER 8: ENG 50/1 (Root 32 Duckett 8)

Change of bowling at the Nursery End as Curbin Bosch replaces Ngidi. A leg-bye brings up England’s 50. Duckett is finding the fielders and looking a touch frustrated.

OVER 7: ENG 49/1 (Root 32 Duckett 8)

Root pulls one in front of square that came off the toe-end of the bat but he gets a couple. He then drives through cover up the slope for four.

Burger offers up width and Root tucks into it, placing the drive between cover and backward point, and he gets another boundary.

Four more! Three in a row and this was the most emphatic. Short and wide from Burger and Root says thank you, powerfully cutting away for four despite another fielder being placed in the cover point area.

OVER 6: ENG 34/1 (Root 17 Duckett 8)

Ngidi strays too straight and Duckett flicks off his pads through square for four as the ball raced down the slope to the boundary rope. That is Duckett’s first boundary of the innings.

OVER 5: ENG 28/1 (Root 16 Duckett 4)

Duckett is looking to get going but is yet to really go through the gears. Just the one run from Burger’s third over.

OVER 4: ENG 27/1 (Root 16 Duckett 3)

Root pushes one elegantly between point and cover and the ball races away down the slope for four despite Brevis’ best efforts.

Root then flashes at a wider delivery that flies wide and over the two slips, racing away for four. Slightly fortuitous but Root gets another boundary.

That is a lot better from Root, who leans on a cover drive and gets four. Superb shot and Root already has four boundaries.

OVER 3: ENG 15/1 (Root 4 Duckett 3)

Burger is a little wayward there as he sends a delivery down the legside to Duckett and Rickelton cannot prevent the ball from running away for five wides.

Duckett then flirts with a ball outside off but fortunately evades touching the ball. A few balls later Burger bowls a beauty to Duckett in the corridor of uncertainty that goes just past the outside edge.

South Africa then appeal for a catch down the legside but umpire Michael Burns signals a wide. Temba Bavuma reviews but there is a clear gap between bat and ball.

Duckett flicks off his pads behind square on the legside and comes back for two.

OVER 2: ENG 7/1 (Root 4 Duckett 1)

Lungi Ngidi will start from the Nursery End. Duckett is off the mark first ball with a single behind square on the legside. That is the first run off the bat of the innings.

Root gets off the mark with a boundary. Ngidi drops short and Root pounces, pulling in front of square for four.

OVER 1: ENG 1/1 (Root 0 Duckett 0)

Joe Root is in first ball and it is a wide down the legside, England’s first run of the innings. Burger has a leg slip in place to Root.

Great start for South Africa, worst possible one for England.

Wicket

Smith c Rickelton b Burger 0 The left arm of Nandre Burger will kick off proceedings at the Pavilion End and he gets Smith first ball of the innings. It is exactly the type of ball a left armer wants to send down to a right hander, nipping back in. It takes the inside edge and Rickelton takes the catch. Literally the worst possible start for England. FOW 0/1

England’s response

The bottom line is England have to chase these 331 runs down if they want to stay in this series ahead of Sunday’s third and final match in Southampton. Jamie Smith, who scored 54 on Tuesday, and Ben Duckett open for England. The former will take strike.

More from Michael Atherton

“We did not get much of a look at England’s bowling resources at Leeds as defending only 130 that game was pretty much gone.

“But we got a look today and I do not think they made the most of conditions, while I thought [Jofra] Archer was short and legside to start with. [Sqib] Mahmood was also a bit off in line, while then in the middle phase the balance of the side will be called into question.

“It goes both ways as England bat deep and can play with freedom at the top of the order but I think at Lord’s in particular you want the balance of the seam-bowling all-rounder.”

Michael Atherton on Sky Sports

“It was a pretty structured, old-fashioned innings from South Africa, in contrast to the way England sometimes play 50-over cricket which appears instinctive and on the hoof.

“This was building a platform without going hell for leather at the start, although they were fast enough as England went a bit short and legside, and then pumped it up at the end and targeted England’s fifth bowler.

“If you were ultra picky you would day the absolute acceleration did not come but you could see the idea and it will be fascinating to see the contrast with England.”

Stuart Broad on Sky Sports

“It feels like advantage South Africa. They have been superb. It is not easy batting here at Lord’s in white-ball cricket, but they are a team full of confidence.

“It was a slightly energy-less England all day, if I am honest. The body language has been low and a bit tired.”

South Africa set England 331 to win

Keshav Maharaj is the new batsman in and gets Bosch back on strike immediately with a single.

Bosch’s pull loops into the air on the legside and is able to come back for two. He then turns down a single to stay on strike for these final few balls.

He clips one out towards Smith at deep mid-wicket but it drops just short.

Maharaj is on strike for the final ball and is bowled as Archer gets his fourth wicket. South Africa end their 50 overs on 330/8 and England need 331 runs to win and stay in the series.

Wicket

Muthusamy LBW Archer 7 Archer will send down the final over of the innings and gets a wicket first ball of the over. He goes full and strikes Muthusamy on the pads. The finger goes up and Muthusamy just walks off. It actually hit outside the line and Muthusamy should have reviewed it. FOW 326/7

OVER 49: SA 326/6 (Bosch 29 Muthusamy 7)

Bosch slices one just short of Brook at cover and decides to come through for a dangerous single. If Brook hits at the non-striker’s end, Bosch is gone but the throw misses.

Muthusamy goes for a reverse lap but it drops just short of Carse at short third man. He does come through for a single though.

Mahmood goes full and Bosch goes for the reverse sweep but it comes flying off the top edge and races away for four.

Mahmood then hits Bosch on the full and it strikes Bosch in a tender area. There is half an appeal from Mahmood and Brook, with one review remaining, sends it for a review. Was it a no-ball? No. But the ball was going over the stumps.

OVER 48: SA 319/6 (Bosch 24 Muthusamy 6)

Jacks, who has been expensive today, is on for his fifth and presumably last over. Muthusamy looked like he was struggling to get back for two and a run-out was on the cards but Jacks could not get the ball to the stumps in time at the non-striker’s end. Bosch then makes it back-to-back twos.

Bosch is swinging hard, trying to whack Jacks over the legside but is not connecting. However he advances down the ground and chips one for four, with long-on unable to get across to stop it. Jacks and Bethell combined in their 10 overs went for 112 runs, taking just the one wicket. England’s part-time bowlers have been ravaged.

OVER 47: SA 310/6 (Bosch 15 Muthusamy 6)

Mahmood returns to the attack at the Pavilion End. Mid-off is brought up into the circle and Bosch takes advantage as he drills a full toss between mid-off and cover. Mid-off had just been brought up after an unsuccessful reverse pull by Bosch. Questionable captaincy by Brook.

OVER 46: SA 303/6 (Bosch 9 Muthusamy 5)

Senuran Muthusamy joins Bosch in the middle and he is off the mark second ball with a reverse sweep that runs away for four. That boundary brings up South Africa’s 300.

Wicket

Brewis c Rashid b Bethell 42 Brewis attempts to cut one away but it is good diving catch by Rashid at backward point to end a dangerous innings. If Brewis had stayed in until the end he would have added a lot of runs in these final few overs. FOW 297/6

OVER 45: SA 295/5 (Bosch 8 Brewis 40)

Rashid, who has been the pick of England’s bowlers today, will bowl his final over. As he has been throughout today, he keeps it tight, conceding just four runs from the over, and that is him done. 10 overs, 2-33 from Rashid; a terrific performance today from him.

OVER 44: SA 291/5 (Bosch 6 Brewis 38)

Bosch pushes one down the ground and comes back for two. Later in the over Brewis gets a couple in the exact same fashion as Bosch.

At the end of the over, Carse drops to short and Brewis, who had come across his stumps deposits it over deep square leg for six.

OVER 43: SA 278/5 (Bosch 2 Brewis 29)

Bethell has been expensive today but he will continue Bosch is off the mark first ball with a single. Brewis is going to keep taking on the England bowlers and he blasts Bethell back over his head for six. Make that back-to-back sixes, this time on the sweep from Brevis. Bethell has gone for 53 runs in just four overs. South Africa have successfully targeted Jacks and Bethell today.

OVER 42: SA 263/5 (Bosch 0 Brewis 16)

Corbin Bosch is in at number seven. Brewis is still on strike off the final ball of Archer’s over and he uppercuts a short delivery over short third man for four.

Wicket

Stubbs run out Archer 58 What on earth were South Africa doing there? Brewis hits it straight at point but Stubbs looks to come through for a single. Brewis shouts no but not before Stubbs has come most of the way down the wicket. Archer initially fumbles the throw but he gets back to the stumps at the non-striker’s end before Stubbs can get back. Stubbs is furious but there was not a single there. FOW 259/5

OVER 41: SA 257/4 (Stubbs 57 Brewis 11)

Dewald Brewis is in at number six. Bethell is back on following that wicket. Brewis does not take a few balls to get himself in, instead sweeping over cow corner for four first ball.

Bethell then finds the outside edge of Brewis’ bat and it races away for four down to third man.

A wide from Bethell brings up the South African 250. This is an expensive over from Bethell, with a combination of wides, fours and singles in there in a loose over.

Wicket

Breetzke LBW Archer 85 Boy did England need that. Archer deceives Breetzke with a fuller delivery and Breetzke cannot get his bat down in time. He is struck right in front and the finger goes up. That was plumb but Breetzke did review. Three reds and he is gone. That ends a terrific innings from Breetzke. FOW 240/4

OVER 39: SA 232/3 (Stubbs 50 Breetzke 83)

Breetzke slaps a back-of-the-length delivery from Carse down the ground and Stubbs has to duck out of the way as the ball races away for four. Breetzke then rocks back onto the back foot and deposits Carse into the stands for the six. This is a great display of batting from this pair.

A single for Stubbs brings up his third ODI fifty.

That is such clever batting from Breetzke, who knows that third man is up inside the circle and guides one between point and short third-man for four.

OVER 38: SA 213/3 (Stubbs 49 Breetzke 66)

It is bowling changes constantly at the moment as Rashid is back on for his ninth over. England would love for him to get one of these two batsmen out before his 10 overs are up. Just three from the over.

OVER 37: SA 210/3 (Stubbs 48 Breetzke 64)

Harry Brook is rotating his bowlers and Jacks is on. Every time Bethell or Jacks come on, these two look to target them and it has continued. Stubbs gives himself room outside leg stump and sweeps away for four. Stubbs sweeps again and this time goes the aerial route, depositing it into the stands for six to bring up the South Africa 200.

Stubbs then pulls out the reverse sweep and it is three straight boundaries. Pressure on Jacks, Brook and England.

OVER 36: SA 192/3 (Stubbs 33 Breetzke 63)

Carse is on at the Nursery End. More good running from these two as Stubbs hits one through mid-wicket and comes back for two.

A single down to third man brings up the 100-run partnership between this pair off 101 balls.

OVER 35: SA 189/3 (Stubbs 30 Breetzke 63)

Rashid is back on at the Pavilion End. Breetzke nearly picks out Bethell at short mid-wicket but it goes just wide of Bethell’s dive to his left.

Four from the over but Rashid has just two overs remaining.

Matthew Breetzke, a star of Northants’ run to the Blast knockout stages (he couldn’t play last night, for obvious reasons), has a ludicrous ODI record. He started with 150 in Lahore and his lowest score in five innings in 57.

OVER 34: SA 185/3 (Stubbs 28 Breetzke 60)

Jacks sends an horrendous delivery way down the legside. England had wrestled back the momentum with those three quick wickets but the momentum has now shifted back in South Africa’s favour.

Jacks is not happy with his club teammate Smith’s fielding at deep backward square leg, allowing Breetzke to race back for two.

With mid-off in the circle, Breetzke lifts a delightful shot way over his head for six and he held the pose as well.

OVER 33: SA 170/3 (Stubbs 26 Breetzke 50)

Breetzke takes a quick single into the offside and Bethell hurls the throw at the non-striker’s end but Breetzke was comfortably home anyway even if Bethell had hit the stumps.

With mid-wicket and mid-on inside the circle, Stubbs picks it up over the infield and comes back for three as the ball slowed up with the damp outfield.

A single off the final ball takes Breetzke to his fourth ODI fifty in just his fifth match to go with one hundred. He becomes the first player ever to go past fifty in his first five ODIs.

OVER 32: SA 163/3 (Stubbs 22 Breetzke 47)

The floodlights are on at Lord’s. Stubbs finishes the over by sweeping one over cow corner for a couple. Six from the over and it is time for drinks.

OVER 31: SA 157/3 (Stubbs 18 Breetzke 45)

The whole of Lord’s is stunned! Stubbs loses control of his bat and it flies into the air. The bat comes so close to landing on his own stumps and Stubbs was quick to react but is fortunate the bat did not hit the stumps. Mahmood cannot believe it and Stubbs will be a very relieved man.

Mahmood then finds the outside edge of Breetzke’s bat but it goes past a diving Buttler and runs away fine for four. Breetzke did mean to guide that shot but not that fine.

OVER 30: SA 150/3 (Stubbs 16 Breetzke 41)

Change of bowling at both ends as Will Jacks comes on for the first time today at the Nursery End. Breetzke is looking dangerous and ominous dare I say it.

A single off Stubbs’ bat out to deep cover takes South Africa to 150.

OVER 29: SA 146/3 (Stubbs 14 Breetzke 39)

Bethell is out of the attack and Mahmood is on at the Pavilion End. Breetzke is offered a touch of width by Mahmood and cuts it away past point’s left hand for four. It was not a million miles away from Bethell but went past him in a flash. Breetzke is just starting to motor.

OVER 28: SA 138/3 (Stubbs 12 Breetzke 34)

England will know how dangerous these two are and will be very keen for a breakthrough soon. Four runs from Rashid’s seventh over.

OVER 27: SA 134/3 (Stubbs 10 Breetzke 32)

Bethell is too full and on the pads and Breetzke tucks into it by sweeping behind square for four. It looked too full to sweep but Breetzke was quick onto that.

That is a sensational shot; he gives himself room outside leg stump and hits beautifully and crisply over wide long-off for six. It definitely feels like he is targeting Bethell here.

OVER 26: SA 120/3 (Stubbs 9 Breetzke 19)

Rashid has swapped the Pavilion End for the Nursery End so it is spin at both ends. He bowls a stunner to Breetzke, similar to the delivery that got Bavuma out earlier. There is a big appeal for caught behind and eventually the finger goes up. Breetzke immediately reviews and he is correct to do so. England think they have the wicket and celebrate as UltraEdge comes up on the big screen but the tickle was the bat hitting the pad rather than the ball. There was a clear gap between bat and ball and the original decision of out is correctly overturned.

Nearly a wicket again for Rashid and this is an even better ball that deserved a wicket. Rashid completely deceives Breetzke with a googly that easily beats the inside edge but narrowly misses off stump.

Maiden over from Rashid and that was a terrific set of six deliveries.

OVER 25: SA 120/3 (Stubbs 9 Breetzke 19)

Here is an interesting change at the Pavilion End as Rashid, after a five-over spell, is replaced by Jacob Bethell.

Breetzke sweeps and it probably goes finer than he was aiming for but it still runs away down the slope for four.

OVER 24: SA 113/3 (Stubbs 8 Breetzke 13)

England are doing a good job of keeping it tight, not allowing these two dangerous batsmen to score boundaries at a rapid rate. Four come from that latest Carse over.

OVER 23: SA 109/3 (Stubbs 7 Breetzke 11)

These two are just starting to find their feet and rotating strike nicely.

OVER 22: SA 105/3 (Stubbs 5 Breetzke 9)

Carse is short and wide. Breetzke takes advantage as he crunches a flat-batted shot through cover for four, which brings up the South Africa 100.

This pair have an important role in building this South African innings.

OVER 21: SA 97/3 (Stubbs 2 Breetzke 4)

Rashid is demonstrating why he is so integral to this England side. He is tossing the ball up, inviting Stubbs and Breetzke to go off after it and take the risk. Just a couple of singles from the over.

OVER 20: SA 95/3 (Stubbs 1 Breetzke 3)

Tristan Stubbs joins Breetzke in the middle. Archer is out of the attack and Brydon Carse is back on. Carse and Stubbs have played together for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA T20 (South Africa’s franchise competition) but are up against each other here. Stubbs is off the mark fourth ball with a single into the legside.

Wicket

Markram c&b Rashid 49 Another big breakthrough for England. Markram tries to turn one into the legside to bring up his fifty but only succeeds in getting a lead edge. Rashid takes a great return catch and how England have turned this around over the last half an hour. FOW 93/3

OVER 18: SA 87/2 (Markram 44 Breetzke 1)

Archer is now into his seventh over and you would imagine this would be his last to save his final three for the final stages of the innings.

England have a man positioned behind square on the legside on the edge of the circle and the ball nearly goes straight to that fielder as Markram flicks one off his pads.

Breetzke finally gets off the mark eighth ball with a single into the offside.

OVER 17: SA 84/2 (Markram 42 Breetzke 0)

This is good bowling from Rashid, making it tough for the South African batsmen. Breetzke is still to get off the mark through seven balls.

OVER 16: SA 83/2 (Markram 41 Breetzke 0)

That is fortunate for Markram as he goes for the pull and gets a top edge, that goes not far over the head of Buttler and runs away fine for four. Archer can only chuckle.

OVER 15: SA 78/2 (Markram 36 Breetzke 0)

Matthew Breetzke is in at number four.

Wicket

Bavuma c Buttler b Rashid 4 A change of pace as Adil Rashid is brought into the attack for the first time today, coming on at the Pavilion End, and he gets a wicket in his first over. Rashid gets a leg spinner to turn a little and it is a beauty as Bavuma feathers one through to Buttler, who takes a good catch behind the stumps. England have gone bang bang! FOW 78/2

OVER 14: SA 74/1 (Markram 35 Bavuma 1)

South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma is in at number three and he gets off the mark fifth ball with a single up to wide mid-off.

Wicket

Rickelton c Buttler b Archer 35 Finally the breakthrough for England. Archer has been a little bit scattergun today but he is the one to get the first wicket. Rickelton tries to pull one away but only succeeds in getting a top edge. It goes high into the air and hangs up there for a long while. Buttler is underneath it and takes a good catch. FOW 73/1

OVER 13: SA 73/0 (Markram 35 Rickelton 35)

A tight over from Carse, going for just two runs. There are plenty of clouds overhead but England are yet to make the breakthrough.

OVER 12: SA 71/0 (Markram 34 Rickelton 34)

Mahmood’s first spell is over and Archer in on. Archer started at the Pavilion End but is now going to try his luck from the Nursery End.

I think that is the best shot of the day so far as Markram crunches a cover drive for four. Super technique and connection; a shot that absolutely deserved four.

Archer then strays too straight and Markram takes advantage, flicking away fine for four more. It is all South Africa at the moment and England are on the back foot.

Make that three boundaries on the trot as Markram gets on top of the bounce and punches one beautifully through point for four. Not the best bowling from Archer but it is great batting.

Markram nearly makes it four straight boundaries but good fielding from Brook keeps it to three. Archer does not have much rhythm at the moment.

OVER 11: SA 55/0 (Markram 19 Rickelton 33)

Four runs come from Carse’s third over. Presumably Harry Brook will turn to his spinners soon, even though conditions are in the seamers’ favour. You would imagine Adil Rashid will be into the attack soon.

OVER 10: SA 51/0 (Markram 17 Rickelton 31)

That is probably the shot of the day from Rickelton. Mahmood is perhaps a tough too full and Rickelton plays a delightful on-drive that nearly clatters into his partner Markram at the non-striker’s end and runs away for four. No stopping that but Markram only just got out of the way of that one. How annoying would that have been for Rickelton if that shot had not been rewarded with four.

It was Markram who was flying in the first ODI at Headingley on Tuesday but today Rickelton has been the one who has looked more comfortable.

Rickelton gets another four through mid-off as a diving Brook could not stop it and that boundary brings up the 50 partnership.

That brings the first powerplay to an end and it has well and truly been South Africa’s.

OVER 9: SA 43/0 (Markram 17 Rickelton 23)

Rickelton chips one down the ground and gets four up to the pavilion. It did not look like the best contact but Rickelton is rewarded for his positivity with a boundary.

That probably sums things up for England at the moment; Archer’s throw at the non-striker’s end hits the stumps but the ricochet runs away for four over-throws.

OVER 8: SA 34/0 (Markram 17 Rickelton 14)

Mahmood continues from the Nursery End and is causing some problems for Markram, striking him on the pads on a number of occasions but yet to get a LBW.

A maiden over from Mahmood but it feels like South Africa have got through the toughest part of the innings unscathed.

OVER 7: SA 34/0 (Markram 17 Rickelton 14)

Harry Brook decides it is time for a change of bowlers as Brydon Carse replaces Archer at the Pavilion End. Carse starts too straight and Rickelton flicks one off his pads over mid-wicket’s head for four.

A few balls later Carse bowls a beauty that squares Rickelton up and goes past the outside slope with the aid of the slope going away from the left-handed Rickelton.

A reminder that England have only named three seamers in their lineup so there will be plenty of overs of spin in the middle of this innings.

OVER 6: SA 30/0 (Markram 17 Rickelton 10)

The sun is now bursting through at Lord’s and conditions should be set fair for the rest of the day. South Africa will be pretty happy with their start to this innings having been put into bat.

OVER 5: SA 29/0 (Markram 17 Rickelton 9)

Archer strays too straight and Rickelton is able to flick it fine, coming back for two.

A few balls later, Markram picks one up from Archer that was not too short but the South African opener pulls delicately just behind square for a low six.

England will be disappointed with their start with the ball, considering the conditions are currently in their favour.

OVER 4: SA 19/0 (Markram 11 Rickelton 6)

Markram squeezes one behind point and this time, sensibly, Carse opts against the slide. He stops the ball on the boundary but Markram comes back for two.

Mahmood then thumps into Markram’s pads and there is a big appeal but it is turned down by umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat. England are interested in this one and Harry Brook, with a couple of seconds to spare, reviews. This does not look like a great review as the ball appears to be going down leg. It is an awful review as the impact was outside leg so the ball would have gone even further down leg by the time it went in line with the stumps. One review lost already for England.

OVER 3: SA 16/0 (Markram 9 Rickelton 6)

That could have been nasty for Smith. Markram clips one through wide mid-on that trundles towards the boundary rope. Smith dives to flick it back and his knee digs in. Not only that but the he flicks the ball into his other hand and the ball then hits the boundary. Luckily Smith is up and does not appear to have done any serious damage to his knee. Carse also dug his knee in diving in an attempt to stop the ball inside the circle. Be careful!

Since the 2023 World Cup, England have a terrible record, with only Bangladesh and Zimbabwe of the test-playing nations having a worse record.

Markram finishes the over with three. It is not the best of contact on a drive down the ground through mid-on and Carse once again dives, taking a huge chunk of earth out of the ground. It is a big relief to see Carse, like Smith before, walk away ok from that. England need to stop diving like that as they will suffer an injury.

That Markram boundary saw both Carse and Smith take huge chunks out of the outfield. The Lord’s outfield is being relaid at the end of the season, for the first time in more than 20 years, partly because of that: the size of divots players are taking.

OVER 2: SA 9/0 (Markram 2 Rickelton 6)

Saqib Mahmood will open up from the Nursery End and he immediately gets one to move away from Markram down the slope. Mahmood played on this ground on Sunday for the Oval Invincibles in the Hundred final, taking a wicket as they beat the Trent Rockets by 26 runs.

Rickelton gets off the mark first ball with two through square leg. The first boundary of the innings comes off the bat of Rickelton, who is afforded too much width by Mahmood and punishes it by cutting through backward point for four.

OVER 1: SA 2/0 (Markram 1 Rickelton 0)

Jofra Archer will send down the first over of the match from the Pavilion End and Aiden Markram will face up to the first delivery, which he defends back up the pitch.

Archer then goes past the outside edge as Markram went for a booming cover drive. There seemed to be a small noise but not out.

The first run of the innings comes courtesy of a wide down the legside, which was not far away from Markram’s bat as he tried to flick off his hips.

The first run off the bat comes from a flick by Markram down to fine leg. Just two from the first over.

Greetings from Lord’s, where we’ve had a slightly calmer first over of the SA innings than at Headingley the other day. Tough on Sonny Baker to be dropped for Saqib Mahmood, but expected. Mahmood didn’t play in part at Headingley because he’d played in the Hundred final 36 hours earlier, giving Baker a chance. Maybe Baker comes back in on his adopted home ground, the Utilita Bowl, on Sunday.

Ready for action

The sun is coming and going and some darker clouds have rolled in but Harry Brook is leading his side out to the middle. Aiden Markram, who was superb on Tuesday, and Ryan Rickelton open for South Africa.

These first 10 overs feel like a massive opportunity for England, in particular what will likely be the opening bowling pair of Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood. Great conditions for the England bowlers.

Eoin Morgan on Sky Sports

“I agree with the decision to omit Sonny Baker on the basis of conditions, bringing in Saqib Mahmood. There is likely to be a little bit more swing and Mahmood bowls a touch fuller, so should enjoy bowling at Lord’s.

“The rest of that side, particularly the batting unit, will be looking to switch from a tentative mindset to an aggressive one; it is something that is a default mode for this England side and they will try to chase whatever total down.

“But firstly the responsibility lies with Jofra Archer and Mahmood with the new ball.  If England get early wickets, they can change the momentum and feel in this series quite quickly.”

Good memories for the visitors

Back in June, Temba Bavuma led South Africa to victory in the World Test Championship Final over Australia on this ground. South Africa won by five wickets and a number of the players who played in that match are featuring today; Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs, Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi.

Pre-match thoughts of Temba Bavuma

“I would have bowled as well considering the conditions and the wicket. We will just have to do a job with the bat and assess the conditions as best we can and set our mark there.

“Tony de Zorzi misses out and Matthew Breetzke comes in. Wiaan Mulder also misses out due to illness so Senuran Muthusamy comes in for him.

“This format is not too far from what we speak about as a team. Today is another important day for us to keep getting better as a team. But also keeping things simple is important.

“We always speak about getting here and adapting our skills to the conditions. Nothing really changes there. We expect them to come at us today but we will put our best foot forward.”

Pre-match thoughts of Jamie Smith, who scored 54 in the first ODI

Teams in full

One change for the hosts as Saqib Mahmood replaces Sonny Baker.

England: Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood.

Two changes for the visitors. Matthew Breetzke and Senuran Muthusamy come in for the injured Tony de Zorzi and the ill Wiaan Mulder.

South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.

Harry Brook speaking at the toss

“We will hope that there is a bit in the pitch early on. We have got to put the first game behind us. It is a new day, and it feels like the series starts today for us. We want to go out there and do the things that we always talk about.

“It is just about the basics. We want to put their bowlers under pressure with the bat and keep looking to take wickets with the ball. Saqib Mahmood comes in for Sonny Baker.

“It is nothing against Sonny, we think it is the right decision on this ground, Saqib is a very smart bowler in these conditions.”

England win the toss

Unsurprisingly, Harry Brook chooses to bowl first. One change for England as Saqib Mahmood replaces Sonny Baker, who had a rough ODI debut on Tuesday.

Temba Bavuma admits he would have bowled first due to the conditions. South Africa make two changes. Matthew Breetzke and Senuran Muthusamy come in for Tony de Zorzi, who is injured, and Wiaan Mulder, who is ill.

Here comes the toss

Both captains are out in the middle and Harry Brook is going to flip the coin. Which way will it land?

Sky Sports’ Stuart Broad on Sonny Baker

“It was a tough experience. I think it is always difficult when you’re trying to defend a low total. England did not bat very well and so South Africa came out with a lot of freedom and you feel under pressure to take wickets.

“It means that you are not just settling in to your first ODI and into length, you are thinking, ‘I have got to break open this game’. I do not think it was a true reflection on Baker’s ability.”

Big toss ahead

With the rain that has fallen, this could be a crucial toss ahead. England were put in to bat on Tuesday and it is safe to say they did not bat particularly well. It has all the hallmarks of a massive toss to win and it would be a huge shock whichever captains win the toss if they did not choose to bowl first to take advantage of moisture in the surface.

Former England ODI captain Eoin Morgan on Sky Sports

“Playing two ODIs in such a short space of time was certainly a consideration when I was captain, in terms of how the bowlers pull up.

“England are only playing three seamers, and so you cannot afford to play anyone in their second game in three days if they are carrying any potential niggle or stiffness.

“Now is not the time where Brendon McCullum or Harry Brook want guys to increase the risk of injury. The second consideration will be Lord’s, with different conditions to any other ground in the country.”

Weather forecast

It highlights the quality of the drainage at the home of cricket that we are only delayed by 15 minutes considering the amount of rain that has fallen in London in recent days.

The sun is now out and we should be mostly fine for the rest of the day.

Delayed toss

The sun is out but unfortunately we are not going to get under way on time. The toss has been pushed back 15 minutes to 12.45pm and therefore the start has been delayed by the same amount of time, so we will get started at 1.15pm. We have lost no overs despite the delay.

England vs South Africa ODI and T20 fixtures this month

First ODI: South Africa won by seven wickets – Headingley

Second ODI: Today – Lord’s

Third ODI: Sunday September 7 (11am) – Utilita Bowl Southampton

First T20: Wednesday September 10 (6.30pm) – Sophia Gardens Cardiff

Second T20: Friday September 12 (6.30pm) – Emirates Old Trafford

Third T20: Sunday September 14 (2.30pm) – Trent Bridge

Can hosts keep the series alive?

England look to bounce back from defeat on Tuesday as they take on South Africa in the second ODI at Lord’s, knowing they have to win to stay in the series. Harry Brook’s men suffered a chastening defeat at Headingley in the first ODI as South Africa won convincingly by seven wickets.England got off to a solid start with the bat in match one but collapsed from 82-2 to 131 all out, being bowled out inside 25 overs. Jamie Smith (54) was the only man to go past 15 in what was a pretty poor performance with the bat from the hosts.

Aiden Markram led South Africa’s comfortable run chase, scoring 86 off 55 balls to lead the visitors to a seven-wicket victory just over 20 overs into their innings. It was a debut to forget for fast bowler Sonny Baker, who was hit for 76 runs in seven overs; the most expensive figures by an England bowler on ODI debut. Speaking after the first ODI, Brook declared that it was “just one of those days”.

“Not ideal and not a great start to the series but it is just one of those bad days and we have to move on as quickly as possible. Everybody will hold their hands up and say they have had a bad day, apart from Jamie Smith – he batted really nicely. But it is just one of those days, we could not get a partnership together. The ball held in the pitch a bit more than usual but I do not want to go into too much detail, it is a bad day and we have got to move on.”

South Africa, who came into this series off the back of a 2-1 series victory in Australia last month, dominated the first ODI and their captain Temba Bavuma was delighted with his side’s performance, especially their bowling.

“We were clinical with the ball. Even though they managed to put us under a bit of pressure in the powerplay, we still managed to take wickets. Then in the middle, the guys came in, Kesh [Maharaj] showing his class. With the ball, I do not think you can fault much. With the bat, we could have been more clinical at the end but I do not think it takes anything away from how we went about the chase, led by Aiden Markram at the top really taking the attack to them.”

There has been plenty of rain in London this morning so we could be in for a delayed start. Can England take the series to a decider on Sunday or will South Africa wrap up the series with a game to spare? Play at Lord’s gets under way at 1pm and you feel like the toss could be crucial.