Although England lost a thrilling match at Lord’s a few days ago, the loss had further ramifications for the English ODI team, which has been deceiving since the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. Only Zimbabwe and Bangladesh have a poorer win percentage over this time frame, and they have only won one bilateral series since the major event two years ago, with a dismal win percentage of 31.8. England has also fallen to No. 8 in the ICC ODI Rankings as a result of the decline in performance. With the first ODI played just two days after the final, The Hundred has also been the target of harsh criticism due to the ensuing commotion caused by these subpar performances.
During the crucial 331 chase at Lord’s, England performed far better at bat.
They chose their shots more carefully and applied themselves more. Before the latter was eliminated, England was in the game thanks to fifty-centuries from Joe Root, Jacob Bethell (whose stats are still rising in international cricket), and Jos Buttler. With just two bowlers among the wickets in the second ODI, there are also bowling-related concerns. The South Africans, who scored 112 runs, also took advantage of the vulnerability of the 10 overs that were bowled by two part-time spinners. England has many unanswered questions, and a series victory may be the first step towards obtaining the necessary answers.
Although they would have preferred to win more easily at Lord’s, South Africa will now be aiming for a whitewash after winning their first bilateral series in England in 27 years. Although Matthew Breetzke has made headlines in South Africa as the first player to reach five fifty runs in his first five ODI matches, players like Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, and Dewald Brevis have all performed admirably.
With six players reaching their 30s at Lord’s, the South Africans have had little trouble finding starts. However, if they can continue to play well into their 100s, that would be a bright spot.
The bowlers, meantime, have continuously supported one another. Keshav Maharaj leads the group with six series wickets, followed by Nandre Burger with four and Wiaan Mulder, who is only three behind and made his solitary appearance in Leeds.
When: 11 a.m. local time on September 7, 2025 (12 p.m. SAT, 10 a.m. GMT, and 3.30 p.m. IST)
Where: Southampton’s Rose Bowl
What to expect: England defeated New Zealand by 79 runs in the last ODI held at Southampton in 2023. Forecast experts anticipate a 25% chance of rain on matchday, thus there is a tiny risk of it happening.
Team Updates
England
Brydon Carse could be replaced by Sonny Baker, who had a difficult ODI debut in Leeds. In order to address their fifth bowling option, England will likely replace Will Jacks with Rehan Ahmed, a youthful legspinner who is also a potent batsman.
The likely starting lineup is as follows: Will Jacks/Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse/Sonny Baker, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (capt), Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell
South Africa
Wiaan Mulder was sick and missed Thursday’s game. He has now been exonerated of that agonising fate, albeit a kidney stone was suspected. Mulder ought to return at Senuran Muthusamy’s expense if he is healthy. Having participated in nine of South Africa’s last eleven games, Lungi Ngidi is most likely in need of a vacation. That might present Kwena Maphaka with a chance.
Ryan Rickelton (wk), Temba Bavuma (capt), Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, and Kwena Maphaka are the likely starting lineup.
What they stated:
“I’m hoping for a hundred in Southampton. It would have been wonderful to be on the board, so I was sad that I didn’t get it [at Lord’s]. But joyous days, we won. After scoring 85 in the home of English cricket on Thursday, Matthew Breetzke, who is now in form, is aiming for a century.
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