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Something went horribly wrong: Bavuma | The Express Tribune
SOUTHAMTON:
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma questioned his side’s attitude after they were thrashed by 342 runs against England in the largest defeat in ODI history on Sunday.
Chasing 415 to complete a clean-sweep of the three-match series, the Proteas were bowled out for just 72 in 20.5 ignominious overs in Southampton.
It was the biggest winning margin in the history of the ODI format when batting first, surpassing India’s 317-run victory against Sri Lanka in 2023.
South Africa narrowly avoided falling short of their lowest ODI total of 69 against Australia in 1993.
England’s previous biggest margin of victory was a 242-run success against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2018.
Bavuma admitted South Africa’s sloppy fielding, which included several dropped catches, was emblematic of their woeful performance.
“It’s a downer. We were just poor to be honest, in all departments. Fielding is always about attitude, and looking at our fielding and some of the catches you could question where our attitude is,” Bavuma said.
“With the ball at some point something went horribly wrong. The extras as well with the ball, far from ideal.
“With the bat it was always going to be tough, and their bowlers really put us under pressure. We didn’t have a chance.
“To sum it up, a poor game of cricket from us.”
South Africa had won the first two games of the three-match series, but Bavuma insisted lack of motivation was not a factor in their embarrassing surrender.
“I think as an international sportsman you can’t use that as an excuse. Every game you’re playing for your country. There have been changes within our team with players rested so our depth has been tested,” he said.
“For those guys it shows how much of a step up it is for international cricket.
“We have conversations about our depth and when premium players aren’t there, because it takes a squad to go and win trophies.”
‘The ultimate performance’
Although South Africa’s astonishing collapse will take a while for Bavuma to process, he took heart from their overall form.
The ODI series win against England came after victory against Australia in the same format recently.
“We are moving forward, we are taking positive strides forward, the team is shaping up nicely,” Bavuma said.
“I think looking at the way we were against Australia, we are starting to answer those question marks about our team.”
England’s fifth highest ODI total of 414-5 was more than enough to see off South Africa.
After Jacob Bethell smashed 110 from just 82 balls for his maiden professional century and Joe Root reached a typically efficient 100, Jofra Archer set about demolishing the South Africans.
The pace bowler finished with impressive figures of 4-18 in nine overs as he removed four of South Africa’s top five batsmen.
It was the kind of fearsome form that underlined why England are so keen to keep Archer fit for the Ashes series in Australia later this year.
“It was awesome to see Jofra bowling rockets there. To have that in your side, it’s quite frightening,” England captain Harry Brook said.
“We were awesome with the bat, put them under pressure all the way through that innings and the bowling just speaks for itself. It was the ultimate performance.”
Amid questions over England’s decision to fast-track Bethell into the team in all formats, the 21-year-old all-rounder proved a point with 13 fours and three sixes.
Saluting Bethell’s vibrant innings, Brook added: “That’s just the beginning. I said that to him at lunch.
“Everyone knows how good he is. I’m glad he’s got that first century and hopefully now the floodgates open.” AFP
England entered the record books by registering their largest-ever victory against South Africa in the third One-Day International (ODI) at the Rose Bowl.
Chasing a massive total of 415, England bundled out the Proteas for just 72 runs, securing a 342-run win — the largest winning margin by runs in the history of the 50-over format.
This triumph surpasses India’s previous record of a 317-run victory over Sri Lanka in 2023 and also becomes England’s biggest-ever ODI win, eclipsing their 242-run win against Australia in Nottingham in 2018.
Batting first, England posted a mammoth total thanks to outstanding performances from their top order.
| Team | Margin | Opposition | Date |
| England | 342 | South Africa | September 7, 2025 |
| India | 317 | Sri Lanka | January 15, 2023 |
| Australia | 309 | Netherlands | October 25, 2023 |
| Zimbabwe | 304 | US | June 26, 2023 |
| India | 302 | Sri Lanka | November 2, 2023 |
Jacob Bethell starred with 110 off 82 deliveries, while Joe Root contributed a classy 100 off 96 balls.
Opening batter Jamie Smith added 62 off 48 deliveries, and wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler blazed his way to 62 off just 32 balls.
South Africa struggled against England’s relentless bowling attack. Corbin Bosch top-scored with 20 off 32 deliveries as the Proteas were dismissed in 20.5 overs.
Captain Temba Bavuma was forced to sit out the innings due to a left calf strain sustained while fielding.
For England, Jofra Archer was the standout with figures of 4/18 in nine overs.
Spinner Adil Rashid claimed three wickets, while Brydon Carse chipped in with two wickets, ensuring a comprehensive demolition of the South African batting lineup.
Real Madrid are looking at Bayern Munich‘s Dayot Upamecano and Liverpool‘s Ibrahima Konaté as free-agent signings, while Federico Chiesa is linked with a move to Turkey. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.
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TRENDING RUMORS
– A move for Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano is being lined up by Real Madrid, according to Bild. Los Blancos are interested in signing the 26-year-old, who entered the final year of his contract at the Allianz Arena in the summer, as they continue to identify future options to reinforce their defence. The Bundesliga champions are expected to prioritise signing Upamecano to a new deal by beginning negotiations soon. Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano reports that the LaLiga club are also looking at Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté. The Reds are yet to secure the 26-year-old’s future at Anfield beyond the summer of 2026, and after Real Madrid made an enquiry in the summer, they are prepared to make another move if an opportunity arises to sign him as a free agent.
– Besiktas have had an approach for Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa dismissed, reports Fabrizio Romano. The Super Lig are keen to sign a winger before the transfer window closes on Friday, but the Reds are unwilling to consider a loan offer for the 27-year-old. Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling, 30, is also on the radar of clubs in Turkey, but he is yet to make a final decision on his future as the Blues look to part ways with him.
– There are no plans by Barcelona to send on-loan winger Marcus Rashford back to Manchester United in January despite reports, according to The Sun. The Blaugrana and manager Hansi Flick are “still giving their full support” to the 27-year-old, who has played 95 minutes across three LaLiga matches. An option clause in the loan deal agreed with the Red Devils would allow him to be signed for a fee of £30 million.
– AC Milan want Christian Pulisic to sign a new contract, reports Calciomercato. The Rossoneri have made contact with the 26-year-old’s representatives as they look to agree a new four-year deal, with manager Massimiliano Allegri considering the 26-year-old to be a key part of his project. The Serie A club are also aware of interest from other clubs. Pulisic turned down a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in the summer.
– Lazio remain keen on free agent winger Lorenzo Insigne, according to Calciomercato. The 34-year-old has been without a club since leaving Toronto FC in the summer, and he has his sights set on a return to Serie A. The club’s hierarchy are exploring options to improve their financial situation to make a deal possible, and they could have to offload players.
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OTHER RUMORS
– Several clubs are keeping tabs on the progress of on-loan Aston Villa winger Jadon Sancho. (Football Insider)
– Al Shabab are keen on signing free agent midfielder Oriol Romeu. (Marca)
– Barcelona want to sign defender Eric Garcia to a new five-year contract, with hopes of getting the deal over the line before Christmas. (Diario Sport)
– Clubs in MLS are interested in free agent striker Patrick Bamford, who recently left Leeds United (Football Insider)
– Al Qadsiah have agreed a deal to sign Al Nassr attacking midfielder Otavio, who is expected to sign a two-year contract. (Fabrizio Romano)
– AC Milan midfielder Yacine Adli is closing in on a switch to Al Shabab. (Sport Italia)
– Tottenham Hotspur are willing to listen to offers for midfielder Yves Bissouma in the January transfer window. (Football Insider)
– A deal worth €20 million has been agreed by Neom SC to sign Bahia forward Lucho Rodriguez. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Talks are ongoing between Lazio and Anderlecht regarding a move for defender Jan-Carlo Simic. (Calciomercato)
– Juventus full-back Jonas Rouhi is set to join Westerlo on loan. (Fabrizio Romano)
After crushing Afghanistan in the tri-nation series final on Sunday, Pakistan’s T20I captain, Salman Ali Agha, took to X and announced he will be donating his earnings from the tournament to flood victims back home.
He said he is joined by star bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who will be doing the same.
The green shirts pummelled the Afghan side on Sunday, when Pakistan’s second-inning bowling attack saw Muhammad Nawaz take five wickets, pushing the team to a comfortable 75-run triumph.
Shaheen, who bowled two overs, also took a wicket while only conceding seven runs.
On August 30, Peshawar’s Imran Khan Stadium played host to another effort by prominent cricketers to support flood victims.
Peshawar Zalmi played a charity exhibition match against a dream team of retired stars led by Inzamam ul Haq, who was joined by such names as Shahid Afridi, Younus Khan, Shoaib Akhtar and Waqar Younis.
The stands were packed with spectators who had come to see the legends in action and donate to a good cause.
Floods have been ravaging Pakistan since June in what has become the perfect storm of glacial melts and above average rainfall.
The National Disaster Management Authority reported on Sunday that the death toll has risen to 910 across the country, with the highest number of fatalities recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 504.
KP’s Buner district is the worst impacted, as landslides and floods have killed 256 people, including 23 children. Punjab has also recorded its “worst ever flood” as 4.1 million people have been impacted in the province.
Floodwaters from Punjab are flowing into Sindh this week as the province braces for a spell of heavy rain.
Over 128,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas as flooding is anticipated.
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