South Africa inflicted a crushing defeat on England in the first one-day international in Leeds, winning by a convincing seven wickets. The victory was set up by a dominant bowling performance that saw the Proteas skittle out England for just 131 runs, with more than half of the host’s overs still remaining.
The star of the show with the ball was left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who took a brilliant 4-22. He was ably supported by all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, who claimed 3-33 on an overcast day at Headingley after South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, won the toss and elected to bowl.
In the second innings, South Africa’s opener Aiden Markram delivered a blistering performance, smashing a 23-ball fifty that included eight fours and two sixes. The Proteas made quick work of the chase, finishing on 137-3 with nearly 30 overs to spare.
Markram was particularly severe on England debutant Sonny Baker. The young Hampshire fast bowler endured a difficult day, conceding a hugely expensive 76 runs from his seven overs. To make matters worse, Baker was out for a golden duck earlier in the innings.
Despite the one-sided nature of the match, England’s leg-spinner Adil Rashid provided a brief moment of resistance. He dismissed Markram for a magnificent 86 with a sharp diving catch from Jamie Smith at cover. Rashid then took two more wickets on his home ground, leaving South Africa on the brink of victory with the scores level. However, Dewald Brevis survived the hat-trick ball and sealed the victory on the very next delivery with a straight six off Rashid. The win gives the Proteas a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and brings an emphatic end to Harry Brook’s six-game winning streak as England’s white-ball captain.
Earlier, the only bright spot in England’s batting lineup was opener Jamie Smith, who scored a respectable 54. The next-highest score was Jos Buttler’s 15, as England’s batsmen struggled to find their rhythm. Coming into the match with no 50-overs-per-side preparation, England’s team looked rusty against a South African side that was fresh off a 2-1 series win in Australia.
Even on a good batting pitch, England’s last eight wickets collapsed for just 49 runs after they were relatively safe at 82-2. Maharaj, the world’s top-ranked ODI bowler, was instrumental in the collapse, as he had Jacob Bethell caught and then took a simple return catch to dismiss Will Jacks. Mulder also did damage, removing both Buttler and Jofra Archer on successive deliveries. Maharaj then wrapped up the innings by taking two wickets in two balls, trapping Adil Rashid lbw and clean bowling Sonny Baker to end England’s innings in just 24.3 overs.
South Africa Decimate England In First ODI, Sonny Baker’s Debut Ends In Humiliation
