Breetzke Shines As South Africa Wins The Series In A Nail-Biting Five-Run Match

Breetzke Shines As South Africa Wins The Series In A Nail-Biting Five-Run Match

England vs South Africa: South Africa's Matthew Breetzke became the first player to score half-centuries in each of his first five ODI appearances. South Africa clinched the ODI series against England in a three-match series.

South Africa sealed a memorable ODI series win in England their first since 1998 with a thrilling final-ball victory at Lord’s. The star of the night was 26-year-old Matthew Breetzke, who scored a superb 85 on his return from injury, helping South Africa post a commanding total of 330. England fought hard in the chase, but fell five runs short, handing South Africa an unassailable 2–0 lead with one match still to play.

The last time South Africa won a bilateral ODI series in England was the 1998 Texaco Trophy. Breetzke wasn’t even born then he arrived five-and-a-half months later. Fast forward to 2025, and he’s now lifting the series trophy at Lord’s, having played a key role in both wins. His innings was the highest by a South African in an ODI at the iconic venue, and he’s now the only player to score fifty-plus in each of his first five ODIs.

South Africa were in early trouble at 93 for 3 after 19 overs, but Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs turned the game around with a 147-run partnership off 126 balls. Stubbs played the perfect support role, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. Dewald Brevis then added a fiery cameo, launching the total close to the Lord’s record of 334, set during the 1975 World Cup.

South Africa’s batting plan was clear: target England’s part-time spinners. With only four frontline bowlers in the XI, England were exposed. Bethell and Jacks were hammered for a combined 112 runs in 10 overs. Brevis smashed Bethell for back-to-back sixes, while Stubbs took on Jacks with ease.

England’s reply got off to a nightmare start when Jamie Smith edged the first ball of the innings to the keeper. Joe Root looked in control, scoring freely in a 66-run stand with Ben Duckett, who continued his poor run and was bowled reverse-sweeping Keshav Maharaj for 14 off 33 balls.

Jacob Bethell, promoted to No. 4, brought some spark. He smashed a 28-ball fifty, including sixes off Aiden Markram’s offspin and a powerful shot over mid-on off Burger. Root also reached his half-century, but both fell in quick succession Bethell to a sharp catch at backward point, and Root stumped by Maharaj for the first time in ten years.

Jos Buttler and Harry Brook tried to rebuild, adding 69 runs for the fifth wicket. Buttler played a stunning reverse-slap for six and reached his fifty with a glance to the skies, honouring his late father. But Brook fell to extra bounce from Muthusamy, and the required rate climbed above nine an over.