... THE RUN CHASE ...
South Africa are clearly ahead in this game, and with the pitch looking good for batting, they will back themselves to chase this down. England needed to defeat South Africa by 207 or more runs to knock them out, thus the Proteas have already qualified for the semis irrespective of the result in this game. England, meanwhile, are playing for pride and will have to give everything they have to defend this low total. But for that, they will need an exceptional bowling effort. Don’t go anywhere as the action for the second inning isn’t far away!
Keshav Maharaj is up for a quick chat. He says that they were brilliant with executing their plans. Adds that they were a bit sloppy in the field but brought it back nicely with a few brilliant catches. Mentions that the pacers set the tone well early on which made his job a bit easier. Says that Marco Jansen took a great catch and he was happy with Harry Brook's wicket as he can be a dangerous batter once he gets set. Ends by saying that he is confident they will be chasing this total down comfortably.
All the bowlers of South Africa who bowled picked up wickets. Wiaan Mulder also made a good contribution with his three key wickets. This South African team looks well-balanced and is proving to be a strong contender for the trophy. However, their skipper Aiden Markram suffered a hamstring injury and didn’t take the field for the entire inning. The team will be hoping he recovers in time to bat if needed and gets fully fit for the semi-finals, which are just a few days away.
On the other hand, South Africa were outstanding in both bowling and especially in fielding as they are known for worldwide. They took some stunning catches and bowled with discipline, forcing the English batters into mistakes. Marco Jansen was brilliant in the Powerplay, picking up three crucial wickets and immediately putting England under pressure. He was involved in five dismissals, taking two brilliant catches as well, making his contribution in this match extremely valuable. Spinner Keshav Maharaj controlled the middle overs brilliantly. He gave the ball flight, tempting the batters to go after him, and picked up two key wickets in the process.
England’s middle order have been a concern throughout this tournament, and today was no different. Their batters clearly lack the skill and temperament needed for ODI cricket. None of them showed consistency or the right approach for the 50-over format as England again fell short of batting out the whole 50 overs. Jos Buttler, playing his last match as England’s white-ball captain, showed some fight but he also got out after scoring 21 runs in 43 balls. Six batters of England got their scores in double digits but none tried to make it a big one.
England have bundled out for 179 in their final game of the Champions Trophy 2025. Their batting struggles continued, with no batter showing the intent to play a sensible and long innings. Instead, they went for aggressive shots and kept losing wickets one after another. Phil Salt and Jamie Smith, both got out in the Powerplay once again. Their in-form batters, Ben Duckett and Joe Root, managed to hit a couple of boundaries but could not really stick around for long.
OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! England are bundled out for the lowest total in this edition of the Champions Trophy! 179 runs, that is! With more than 11 overs to spare. South Africa with this exceptional bowling display, make their way to the semis! Wiaan Mulder keeps it just outside off, on a length and gets the ball to shape away just a bit. Adil Rashid has a poke at it away from his body and gets an outside edge straight to Heinrich Klaasen behind the stumps. Mulder ends with 3 wickets.
Good length, on off, Adil Rashid blocks.
Full and on leg, Saqib Mahmood clips it to deep fine leg and taes two runs.
Hurls it nicely on a length, just outside off, Saqib Mahmood swipes across but plays all over it.
Short and on off, Adil Rashid swivels to pull and keeps it along the ground to deep square leg for one.
Hits the deck hard, on a length, on the stumps, Adil Rashid brings the bat ahead and stabs it.
Full, at the stumps, Adil Rashid firms the drive straight back to the bowler.
Fuller than a length, just outside off, Saqib Mahmood drops his bat on it with soft hands and guides it to deep third for one.
Hard length, on off, Adil Rashid nearly chips it to the man at cover.
Short of a length, around off, Adil Rashid keeps it out.
Length, on off, Saqib Mahmood steers it to deep third for a single.
On a length, just outside off, Saqib Mahmood swings through the line but misses.
And again, takes some pace off and keeps it outside off, on a length, Saqib Mahmood is beaten on the outside edge.
Back of a length, outside off, Saqib Mahmood looks to cut but misses.
Full and outside off, Saqib Mahmood eases it to deep cover for a single.
On a good length, on off, Saqib Mahmood pushes it to mid on.
Hard length, on off, Saqib Mahmood blocks it to cover.
Saqib Mahmood is the last man in for England.
OUT! CAUGHT! One brings two, and England are on the brink of being skittled out! Lungi Ngidi gets himself on the wickets column and this wicket also marks his 100 wickets in ODI cricket! Takes pace off and keeps it fuller and on off, Jos Buttler is way too early on the drive and ends up checking his shot to mid off. Keshav Maharaj takes a safe catch. England are now 173/9!
Full and on middle, Adil Rashid flicks it to deep square leg for a single.
Short of a length, on off, Jos Buttler swipes but gets an inside edge to backward square leg for a single.
On a length, outside off, Adil Rashid pushes it to mid off.
OUT! CAUGHT! Talk about smart catching, and Marco Jansen will top the chart by the end of the day! Short of a length, on middle, Jofra Archer stands tall and swipes across the line. He doesn't quite time it well and hits it low to the left of mid-wicket. Marco Jansen flings low and takes a fantastic catch to break the 45 run stand. Jofra Archer departs for 25 (31) and England are now 171/8. Adil Rashid walks in next for them.
WIDE! A bit too short and over middle and duck. Jofra Archer lets it pass.
Short of a length, over off, Jos Buttler punches it to cover for one.
Short ball, on the left shoulder. Jos Buttler is very late to pull and tries to get his head out of the way. Gets some bat on the ball that dribbles past the keeper to his left for one.
Angling into the pads, on a length, Jofra Archer clips it to fine leg for a single.
Comes back into the attack and lands it on a good length, on off, Jos Buttler pushes it to the left of mid off for one.
FOUR! Another short one, over middle, Jofra Archer pulls and gets a top edge over the keeper's head for a boundary. This partnership has now moved onto 38 runs.
Back of a length, over off, Jofra Archer half ducks under it and still looks to pull. The ball drops down the deck off his pads coming off the splice of the bat.
WIDE! Digs it into the surface but slants it down leg again.
Good length, on off, Jofra Archer chips it to point.
Fuller than a length, outside off, Jofra Archer moves across and tries to work it through the on side but gets an inside edge to short fine leg.
WIDE! Full, angling in, down leg, Jofra Archer flicks but misses.
Full, outside off, Jofra Archer miscues his drive to mid on.
Back of a length, on the hips, Jofra Archer pulls it to the right of deep fine leg for a brace.
Maharaj finishes his spell with a maiden! This is full, around off, Jos Buttler eases it out to point.
Tossed up, on off, Buttler drives it to cover.
Full again, on the pads, Jos Buttler tucks it to mid-wicket.
Looped full, on off, Jos Buttler drives to cover.
Skidding through, fuller in length, on middle, Jos Buttler just about manages to drop it down the deck.
Full, on off, Jos Buttler blocks.
Goes full, at the stumps, well blocked out by Jofra Archer.
Hard length, on off, Archer pushes it to cover.
Great bowling! Steep bouncer, over the left shoulder of the batter, Archer looks to pull but is very late on the shot.
Length, around off, Jos Buttler stays back and punches it to deep cover for one.
Back of a length, over middle, Jofra Archer pulls it to deep square leg for one.
Angles it away, on a good length, just outside off, Jofra Archer tries to play at it with a straight bat but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Drinks! South Africa have just squeezed up this game with wickets. They are on the top and will look forward to bowl out England as soon as they can. Their bowlers have been brilliant with tight lines and lengths and haven't given away much with consistent wickets. As South Africa are known worldwide for their fielding and they have shown today why they are rated so highly. There have been a couple of tough catches that the fielders have picked up. On the other side, England are just struggling from the first over when they lost their first wicket. This has been a story for them for the whole tournament, where their batters haven't applied themselves to play longer at the crease and put up a defendable total. They are again in a serious problem here with 7 batters gone and now for the final time, Jos Buttler is still holding the one end as a white ball skipper for them. How many will they add from here? Let's see.
Flighted back full, at the stumps, Jos Buttler pushes it back to the bowler.
Pushed through, full and on off, Buttler knocks it to cover.
Quicker one, full and on leg, Jos Buttler looks to flick but gets an outside edge to cover.
Full, on off, Archer eases it to long off for one.
The news from the South African hut is that Aiden Markram has picked up a hamstring issue, and he will not take the field in this innings. Also, he will bat only if required and Heinrich Klaasen is the stand-in skipper for them. The Proteas will hope that it is not that serious as they have a potential semi-final in coming up shortly.
Flighted full, on middle and leg, Jos Buttler turns it to deep square leg for one.
Tossed up, on off, Jos Buttler thumps it to deep cover and takes two runs.
Fullish and on middle, Jofra Archer blocks it out.
Short of a length and angling in, Jofra Archer backs away to heave but gets a top edge onto his shoulders. That will sting a bit.
FOUR! A better effort was needed there! Kagiso Rabada bangs this one into the pitch and on middle. Jofra Archer pulls it hard toward mid-wicket. Corbin Bosch puts in a lazy effort and lets it through for a boundary. 150 up for England!
Fuller again but a bit too outside off, Jofra Archer leaves it alone. Wided.
Pitched up and on off, Jofra Archer drives it to covers.
Swing and miss! Good length and on middle, Jofra Archer uses his feet for a wild hoicks across the line but lonely connects with thin air.
Fuller one and around off, Jos Buttler looks to go big down the ground but slices it towards third man for a single.
Tossed up, full and on off, Jofra Archer goes down for the sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. A slight appeal for LBW, but turned down.
Flatter, full and on off, Jos Buttler drives it to sweeper covers for one.
Flighted, full and on off, Jos Buttler pushes it to short covers.
A bit short and on middle, Jos Buttler knocks it back to the bowler.
Floated, full and on middle, Jos Buttler uses his feet but has to adjust and tucks it to short mid-wicket.
Flatter, full and on middle, Jofra Archer drills it to long on for a single.
Short of a length and on leg, Jofra Archer glances it to fine leg for one more.
FOUR! Good shot! A slower bouncer, outside off, Jofra Archer waits for it and cuts it away towards deep point. Marco Jansen runs to his right and tries to stop it with his foot. However, the replay shows that his foot is touching the ropes while in contact with the ball and it will be a boundary.
Hard length and on middle and leg, Jofra Archer backs away to heave it away but mistimes it to short mid-wicket.
FOUR! That's a good strike! Fuller one and on middle, angling in. Jofra Archer gets underneath it and blasts it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
On a length and on middle, Jofra Archer clips it towards square leg for a run.
Kagiso Rabada nails the yorker, angling into leg. Jofra Archer backs away to whip it but gets an inside edge onto his boot as the ball rolls away towards fine leg. They cross.
Fuller and on off, Jos Buttler miscues his drive off the bottom edge towards mid on for a single. Oh! It is also called a No Ball for overstepping. Free Hit up next...
A bit quicker, full and on middle, Jos Buttler works it off the inner half of his bat towards long on for one.
Looped up, full and on middle, Jos Buttler defends it on the front foot.
Flighted, full and around off, Jos Buttler drives it to short covers.
Floated, full and on middle, Jos Buttler blocks it out.
Tossed up, full and on middle, Jofra Archer eases it to long on for a run.
Short and around off, Jos Buttler punches it to sweeper cover for a single.
Full again and on middle and leg, Jofra Archer knocks it to mid on.
Fuller and on leg, Jofra Archer tucks it to short mid-wicket.
Hard length and on middle, Jofra Archer stabs it back to the bowler.
Jofra Archer walks in next for England.
OUT! TAKEN BRILLIANTLY! The catching from South Africa has been fantastic in this game, Kagiso Rabada gets a wicket now. He rolls his fingers to take pace off, fuller and on middle. Jamie Overton looks to whip it to the leg side but the ball holds up in the surface a bit too long. It takes the leading edge and flies over mid on. Lungi Ngidi runs backwards keeping his eye on the ball and stretches out to grab an excellent catch. England are reeling at 129/7!
On a length and on off, Jamie Overton blocks it out.
Play and a miss! Fuller one and around off, shapes away touch. Jamie Overton looks to drive but gets beaten on the outisde edge.
Darts one full and on leg, Jamie Overton clips it through square leg for one.
Flighted, full and on middle, Jamie Overton defends it on the front foot.
Short and on off, Jamie Overton punches it to covers.
Slows it up, full and ono ff, Jamie Overton keeps it out to the off side.
FOUR! Put away! Just a fraction short from Keshav Maharaj, outside off. Jamie Overton gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it through point for a boundary.
Tossed up, full and on off, Jamie Overton steers it to point.
Pitches it up, on the pads, Jamie Overton flicks it nicely to deep square leg for one more.
Hard length and on middle, Jos Buttler nudges it through mid-wicket for one.
On a length and on middle, Jamie Overton clips it through square leg for another run.
Short of a length and on middle, Jamie Overton swats it to mid-wicket.
Slower, full and on off, Jos Buttler drives it wide of mid off. Aiden Markram dives to his right to make a fine stop. They cross.
Back of a length and on off, Jamie Overton stabs it towards short covers.
Quicker, full and on middle, Jos Buttler knocks it down the pitch.
Slows it up, full and on middle, Jos Buttler fends it away.
Flatter, full and on off, Jamie Overton sweeps it to deep square leg for another run.
Flighted, full and on middle, Jos Buttler eases it to long off for a run.
Floated, full and on off, Jamie Overton drives it to long off for a single.
Tossed up, full and on middle, Jamie Overton blocks it out.
Good length and on middle, Jos Buttler looks to push it away but gets an inside edge to the leg side.
Fuller again and around off, Jos Buttler drives it to mid off.
Pitched up and on middle, Jamie Overton flicks it to deep square leg for a run.
On a length and on off, Jamie Overton blocks it out.
Fuller and on middle, angling in, Jos Buttler clips it through mid-wicket for a single.
Back of a length and around off, Jos Buttler punches it to short covers.
Floated, full and on off, Jamie Overton pushes it to short covers.
Close! A bit quicker, full and on middle, angling in, Jamie Overton strides out to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
Jamie Overton walks in at number 8 for England.
OUT! STUMPED! Keshav Maharaj has two now! It is going from bad to worse for England. Flighted delivery, full and around off, turns away a bit too. Liam Livingstone decides to come down the track to slog it away but gets completely beaten by the flight. He ends up yorking himself as the ball goes through where Heinrich Klaasen does the rest. England are six down now!
Arm ball, full and on middle, angling in, Liam Livingstone gets cramped up but keeps it out well.
Tossed up, full and on middle, Liam Livingstone prods forward and blocks it out.
FOUR! Nicely done! Flatter, full and angling into leg. Liam Livingstone goes down and paddles it away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.
Could have been chopped on! On a length and around off, Liam Livingstone bends his back and looks to cut it but gets an inside edge that goes past the leg stump and they run for a single.
Nagging length, around leg, Liam Livingstone transfers his weight to the front foot and looks to flick it but misses and wears it on the front pad.
On a good length, around off, Liam Livingstone opens the face of the bat and dabs it to point.
Back of a length, around off, Jos Buttler presses back and pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.
Touch fuller, around off, Jos Buttler comes forward and blocks it to mid off.
Full, around off, Buttler defends it back to the bowler.
Nagging length, on the pads, Liam Livingstone knocks it down to mid-wicket.
Tossed up, around off, Liam Livingstone goes for a drive off the front foot and gets a thick outside edge that just goes past the first slip fielder. They run for a couple.
Flighted up, around off, Jos Buttler lunges and nudges it to long on for a single.
Dragged length, around middle, Liam Livingstone presses back and pushes it to long on for a single.
Floated up, touch outside off, Liam Livingstone reaches out and drops it down towards backward point.
Tossed up, around off, Liam comes forward and defends it.
On a good length, around off, Liam Livingstone opens the face of the bat to guide it towards third man for a single.
Nagging length, around off, Liam defends it off the back foot.
Back of a length, with pace off, Liam Livingstone goes back and shows the full face of the bat to keep it down.
Liam Livingstone is the next man in.
OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! South Africa are all over England now as their experienced batter Joe Root is gone. Mulder comes in from over the wicket and goes slightly fuller, around middle, comes in with the angle. Joe Root leans on and looks to flick it, but he misses the line as his head falls over. The ball sneaks past the bat and brushes his pad before hitting the middle stump. Joe Root departs for 37 (44) and England are now 103/5.
Leg byes! On a good length, around middle and leg, Joe Root hops up and looks to tickle it but gets beaten on the inside edge. The ball kisses the front pad and goes towards deep fine leg as the batters run for a couple.
Hard length and outside off, Jos Buttler presses back and cuts it in the gap towards deep third man for a single.
Tossed up, around middle, Buttler nudges it to long on for a single.
Jos Buttler comes out to the middle for the last time as England's ODI skipper.
OUT! CAUGHT! THAT'S SOME CATCH! England are four down and they are in big, big trouble here. Maharaj gives air to the ball, around middle, Harry Brook clears his front leg and launches it towards long on. He wants to clear the boundary but doesn't reach the pitch of the ball and mistimes it high in the air. Marco Jansen from long on runs a long way to his right with his eyes on the ball and makes a slide to catch it with both hands. A superb catch has ended the stay of the vice captain of England.
A CHANCE? Floated up, around off, Joe Root again goes for reverse sweep towards short third man where Kagiso Rabada puts in a dive forward but gets his hands on it but spills it in the end. The batters run for a single.
FOUR! INNOVATIVE! Flighted up, around off and middle, Joe Root goes on his knee and brings out reverse sweep towards third man for a boundary.
Slower through the air, fuller, around off, Brook uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and drives it in the gap towards extra cover for a single.
Tossed up, but on the pads, Root lunges and flicks it away towards mid-wicket for a single.
Slightly fuller and around middle, Root uses his wrists to work it away to deep square leg for a single to end the over.
WIDE! Sprays it down the leg side, on a length, Root has a swing at it but misses. Called a wide again.
Hard length, around middle, Brook makes room and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.
WIDE! Bangs in short of a length and down the leg side, tries to follow the batter as Harry Brook makes room but leaves it alone after seeing the line. Called a wide.
Nagging length, on the pads, Brook drops it down to mid-wicket.
Goes fuller now, around middle, Brook nudges it to mid-wicket.
On a good length, follows the batter, down the leg side, Harry Brook makes room and looks to go over cover but has to adjust it and dabs it to point.
Hits the deck hard, back of a length, around middle, Root presses back and pulls it along the ground to deep backward square leg for a single.
A bit slower more, around off, fuller, Brook dabs it to backward point and wants to have a quick single but is sent back by Root.
Flighted, full on off, Brook blocks it right under his eyes.
Keeps it fuller, and touch outside off, Root takes out his front leg forward and drives it wide of long off for a single.
Floated up, much slower through the air, around off, Root defends it back to the bowler.
Drags his length a bit and on the pads, Brook turns it wide of square leg for a single.
Tossed up, around off, Brook comes forward and blocks it off.
Drinks! Despite losing three wickets, England have scored at a good rate. Joe Root, the centurion from the previous game, has got to a start again while Harry Brook is also looking solid at the other end. South Africa will be hoping that this pitch has something for the spinners or else batting will become easier as the game goes and they could be chasing a big total. Also, Keshav Maharaj to bowl after the break.
Hard length, around off, gets stick off the surface, Root gets surprised by the extra bounce as he looks to block it off.
A bit slower, back of a length, on top of off, Root gets squared up and presents the full face of the bat to defend it back to the bowler.
These are some easy singles for England! On the pads again, fuller, Brook uses his wrists and turns it to square leg off the front foot for a single.
Darts it on the pads again, around middle, fuller, Root lunges and clips it to deep square leg for another single.
Similar length but outside off this time, Brook opens the face of the bat off late and guides it to deep third man for a single.
Starts with a hard-length ball, around middle, Brook hops back and drops it down to mid-wicket.
Full around middle, Root comes forward and drives it wide of mid off.
Leg bye! Dragged length, around middle, stays a bit low as well, Brook looks to nudge it to the leg side but misses. The ball kisses the thigh pad and goes towards square leg as the batter also takes a single as well for leg bye. There is a bit of an appeal for LBW but it is going down leg.
Leg bye! Lands it fuller again but on the pads, Joe Root leans on and looks to flick it but gets beaten on the inside edge as the ball brushes his front pad and goes to square leg. The batters run for a single for leg bye.
Keeps it full, around middle, Root lunges and drives it to mid on.
WIDE! Sprays it down the leg side, fuller, coming in with the angle, Joe Root looks to flick it but misses. Called a wide.
Bowled it fuller, in the line of the stumps, Root tucks it to mid-wicket off the front foot.
WIDE! Bangs in short of a length, above the head of the batter, Joe Root ducks under it. Called a wide.
On a good length, around off, Brook presses back and pushes it to deep cover for a single.
FOUR! JUST A SIGHT TO WATCH! Rabada sprays it on the pads again and keeps it fuller, easy for Joe Root as he leans on and uses his wrists to time his flick shot to perfection in the gap towards mid-wicket for a boundary to end the over.
Back of a length, around off, Brook presses back and pulls it along the ground to deep backward square leg for a single as the fielder Ryan Rickelton is quick to get to the ball and throw it to the batter's end.
Goes fuller now, around middle, Root lunges and flicks it wide of square leg for a single.
Leg bye! Rabada is bowling beautifully here as he goes slightly fuller and on the pads, Harry Brook gets squared up and looks to flick it but misses. The ball brushes his back pad and goes towards square leg as the batters run for a single for leg bye.
On a good length, around middle, Brook drops it down to mid-wicket.
A Snorter! Rabada bangs in short of a length, around off, with extra bounce, Harry Brook gets surprised with extra pace and bounce and gets it through the upper part of the bat as he looks to defend it with the full face of the bat. The ball lobs up in the air but falls ahead of the gully fielder.
Lands it slightly fuller and outside off, perfect for Root to come forward and drives it in the gap to collect two more runs for his team.
Dragged length, around off, Root stays on the back foot and punches it to mid on.
SIX! WOW! ROOT GOES BIG NOW! Hard length from Mulder, around off, in the arc of the batter, Joe Root just transfers his weight to the back foot and pulls it over square leg for a biggie.
Angling across, around off, on a length, Root drops it down to mid on.
There is some noise as the ball passes the bat but there is no appeal this time. Back of a length, just outside off, angling in, Joe Root presses back and looks to pull it but gets beaten on the inside edge.
A loud appeal for LBW from the bowler but is turned down by the umpire! Aiden Markram decides to go against the review as the keeper implies that it is above the height. On a good length, from over the wicket, around middle, Joe Root walks down the track and looks to flick it but gets hit on the front pad.
Powerplay 2! South Africa can now have 4 fielders outside the inner ring till the 40th over. The Proteas will be really happy picking up three wickets in the first 10 overs, Also, Wiaan Mulder comes into the attack now.
Hard length, over the stumps, Harry Brook jumps down the track again making some room but is beaten.
FOUR! That's some intent! Fuller than a length, at 146 kph, on middle, Harry Brook skips down the track and caresses it through covers for a boundary.
On a hard length, on off, Harry Brook drops it down the deck.
Full and on off, Joe Root drives it off the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket where a misfield allows the batters to take a run.
Very full, on off, Joe Root firms his drive but straight to cover.
Solid line and length, over off, Joe Root blocks it to cover.
Bouncer, over middle again, Joe Root is late on the pull but keeps it along the ground to fine leg for one.
FOUR! Just over! Jansen digs it short and at great pace, over middle, Joe Root is way too early to read the length and swivels back. Pulls it wide of mid-wicket and gets another boundary off the over.
Angling across, on a hard length, around off, Joe Root steers it to short third.
FOUR! Sublime! Length, just around off, Joe Root shows full face of the bat and times his straight drive past mid off to his right for four runs. Also brings up 50 runs for England!
Honing in at the stumps, on a length, Joe Root blocks it back to the bowler.
WIDE! Good length, but down leg, Joe Root fails to make a connection in his attempted flick.
Hard length, over off, Root dabs it to point.
Fuller and on off, Brook drives it to mid off.
Outside off, on a length, the ball stays a bit low off the deck and Harry Brook looks to cut but misses.
KG follows up with a tighter line and length, over off, Harry Brook blocks it out.
FOUR! Two-in-two for Brook! A bit too full and on off, Harry Brook creams his drive through covers for four more.
FOUR! Fine way to get off the blocks! Back of a length, on off, Harry Brook opens the bat face and angles his punch through point for a boundary.
Rabada comes into the attack, replacing Lungi Ngidi and almost gets a wicket on the first ball. Steams in from over the wicket and lands it on a length, outside off, Joe Root cuts hard but to the left of Wiaan Mulder at gully. The ball rockets to him and he tries to take it low to his left around his face. The ball bursts through his hands and the batters take a run. Will go down as a dropped chance.
Angling away, outside off, on a shorter length, Brook leaves it alone.
Hard length, on middle, Harry Brook blocks it to mid-wicket.
WIDE! A bit too short and over leg, Harry Brook ducks under it.
Harry Brook is the next man in.
OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Marco Jansen has ripped apart the English top order! Every time the ball was served onto the pads, Ben Duckett put it away for boundaries but misses out once and pays the ultimate prize. Angling into the pads, on a fuller length with some pace off, Ben Duckett is early on the flick and closes the bat face too. The ball sticks to the surface and goes slower than Duckett was expecting, and a leading edge is found. The ball lobs to the left of the bowler and Marco Jansen on his follow-through, changes track and stretches to his left and takes it with ease. Ben Duckett departs for 24 (21) and England are 37/3!
Attacks the stumps, on a good length, Ben Duckett keeps it out with a solid block.
Fuller than a length, outside off, Ben Duckett cuts it to backward point.
Goes outside off on a hard length, Ben Duckett looks to free his arms and cut it through but miscues it to mid off.
Goes full, on off, Joe Root drives it to mid off. A better over from Lungi Ngidi in terms of his lines and lengths.
Short of a length, around the hips, Ben Duckett works it to deep square leg for one.
Good length, on middle and off, pace taken off, Ben Duckett is deceived by the lack of pace and tucks it to mid-wicket.
Hurls it on a back of a good length, over middle, Joe Root is hurried in the crease but manages to pull it to deep fine leg for a single.
Fuller than a length, outside off, Joe Root plants his front leg out to drive but miscues it to mid off.
Good length, just outside off, Root hops back to steer it to short third.
Hard length, over off, Duckett drops it down the deck.
Full and on middle, Ben Duckett clips it to deep mid-wicket and picks up two more runs.
FOUR! Ben Duckett is being gifted loose ones, and he has made sure all of them are put away! Full and angling in on leg, Ben Duckett flicks it behind square on the leg side for four more.
Fuller in length, at the stumps, Ben Duckett works it to mid-wicket.
Angling into the batter, on a length, on middle, Ben Duckett tucks it to mid on.
Jansen hurls it on a length, around off, Joe Root steers it through backward point for one.
Good length, on off, Ben Duckett turns it to mid-wicket.
Full and on off, Joe Root looks to drive but gets an outside edge to deep third for one.
Short of a length, on off, Joe Root blocks.
Superb fielding from Tristan Stubbs but had there been anybody to back up at the bowling end, England would have lost Ben Duckett! On a back of a length, on off, Ben Duckett cuts it past point. Tristan Stubbs chases the ball and slides to pull it back just in time, inches before the rope and fires the throw at the bowling end where Lungi Ngidi wasn't even bothered to back up. Ben Duckett was almost halfway behind on his third run and Aiden Markram from mid on realizes there could be a chance and charges for backup but is late by then.
FOUR! Lungi Ngidi is struggling to find the right line and is being punished! Goes full and on the pads, begging to be hit, Ben Duckett flicks it past short fine leg and gets another boundary.
Ngidi goes full and outside off, Ben Duckett firms his drive but straight to mid off.
Just short of a good length, around off, Root hangs back and punches it to cover. Another successful over from Marco Jansen! Just two runs and a wicket off it.
On a good length, on off, Joe Root pushes it to mid off.
Back of a length, on off, Joe Root drops it down the deck.
The experienced Joe Root is the next batter for England.
OUT! CAUGHT! Marco Jansen gets his second and England are in deep trouble already! Very similar to how Phil Salt was dismissed! Short of a length, over middle and off, Jamie Smith gets on his toes to pull but only manages to get a top edge to Aiden Markram at mid on who calls for it and moves to his right to gobble it with ease. Jamie Smith departs for a duck off 3 balls and England are 20/2!
Edged but falls just short of Wiaan Mulder at first slip. Angling away, on a hard length, on middle, Jamie Smith is squared up and has a poke at it. The ball goes off the outside edge and falls just short of Mulder to his left at first slip. Nervy start from Jamie Smith!
Angling into the pads, on a length, Duckett tucks it to deep square leg for one.
WIDE! Full and slanting down leg, Ben Duckett looks to flick but misses.
Beauty of a delivery to welcome Jamie Smith into the crease! Angling in, on a length, around off and shaping away off the deck, Smith looks to play it straight but the ball zips past the outside edge.
On a length, over middle, Ben Duckett tucks it to the left of mid on and takes a run.
FOUR! And again! Lungi Ngidi keeps the length good but errs in line and serves it on the pads again, Ben Duckett tucks it through the vacant square leg region and picks up another boundary.
Back of a length, over off, Ben Duckett rises with the bounce and blocks.
FOUR! Easy pickings for the in-form Ben Duckett! Fuller than a length, on the pads, Ben Duckett leans ahead and flicks it past square leg for his first boundary.
Starts from over the wicket and lands it on a length, on off, Ben Duckett blocks it to mid off.
Jamie Smith comes out to bat at number three. Lungi Ngidi will operate with the other new ball.
OUT! CAUGHT! One shot too many from Phil Salt and Marco Jansen has the final laugh. England lose the first one for 9 runs and Phil Salt trudges back for 8 (6). Short of a length, into the bodyline, Phil Salt stands tall and looks to pull, but the ball gets big on him and he doesn't quite have enough room to power it through. Skews it very high off the top edge and only as far as mid-wicket. Rassie van der Dussen settles underneath and takes a simple catch.
Good length, on off, Phil Salt drives it to mid off with hard hands.
FOUR! Pumped! Short of a good length, on middle, Phil Salt steps out and swings across the line. Gets it off the splice of the bat, but enough to beat mid-wicket to his right for another boundary.
Seems like a plan from Jansen now! Keeps it outside off, angling it across, on a fuller length, Phil Salt sits to hammer it over the infield on the off side but misses.
WIDE! A bit wayward outside off, on a length, Phil Salt swings within the line and misses.
FOUR! CRASHED! A bit of width offered, outside off, on a back of a length, Phil Salt steps out and misses his footing a bit but does well to slice it over covers for the first boundary of the game.
Starts right on the money, does Marco Jansen! Steams in from over the wicket and hurls it on a hard length, around middle and gets the ball to nip back in a bit, Phil Salt blocks it down the deck.
With all the pre-match formalities complete, it’s time for the action to begin! The umpires step onto the field, followed by the South African players, who take their positions after a huddle led by their skipper who gives some prep-talk. England’s openers, Ben Duckett and Phil Salt, stride out to the middle, ready to take on the challenge. Marco Jansen has the new ball in hand, standing at the top of his mark, eager to get things underway. Here we go!
We are all set for the action, but before that, the teams have lined up for their respective national anthems. The match officials take the field, followed by the players from both sides. England’s anthem will be played first, followed by South Africa’s.
David Miller is up for a quick chat. He says that the fixtures are a bit awkward as they played last around six days ago and have a big game ahead here. Adds that they just want to play good cricket regardless of what happens in the table. Adds that the team is looking at and monitoring Heinrich Klaasen, and he is training hard and looks good to go today. Lauds him and says he is a class player and has been an X-factor for them and it will be good to bat alongside him.
Aiden Markram, the captain of South Africa says that they are happy to chase as they have not done that in this tournament so far. Adds that there is a bit of illness going around in the camp and Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi are missing out due to it. Tristan Stubbs and Heinrich Klaasen come in for them. Mentions that it rained in their previous game but they have had a few good practice sessions and ready for this one.
Jos Buttler, the skipper of England, says that they are going to bat first as it looks like a decent wicket and there are a few cracks as well. Adds that he felt it was the right time to leave captaincy as he just wanted clarity to play further in the future and move on. They just want to put on a good performance today, and he, personally, for the last time as a white ball skipper, wants to go out and win it for his team. Mentions that there are many conflicting emotions going through, and there is sadness, and it is tough to sink in. Informs that Saqib Mahmood comes in place of injured Mark Wood.
South Africa (Playing XI) - Tristan Stubbs (In place of Tony de Zorzi), Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (C), Heinrich Klaasen (WK) (In place of Temba Bavuma), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
England (Playing XI) - Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith (WK), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (C), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood (In place of Mark Wood).
TOSS - The coin lands in favour of Jos Buttler and England have elected to BAT first.
PITCH REPORT - Shaun Pollock is alongside Ramiz Raja for the pitch analysis. Pollock says it's bright and warm and there are no signs of rain. Also mentions that the dimensions are 79 meters straight while the square boundaries are 67 meters and 62 meters, which could be a concern for the bowlers. Says this is the quickest outfield of the tournament. Ramiz joins in and inspects the surface and says it has a lot of cracks with a tint of grass, which will not trouble the batters. States that the bowlers will have to keep it tight. Pollock concludes that South Africa have played on this pitch against Afghanistan, and this looks like a good batting pitch.
On the other hand, South Africa sit second on the points table and are on the verge of securing a semifinal berth. However, their previous game against Australia was washed out, forcing them to seek a win here to confirm their place in the knockouts. With a strong net run rate, even a loss might not be enough for Afghanistan to leapfrog them, but the Proteas will want to leave no doubts and seal their spot with a win. They have been in fine form, with all departments clicking, and their recent dominance over England gives them a clear edge in this contest. That said, England have nothing to lose and could come out all guns blazing, making this an exciting encounter. The toss and team news are just moments away, so stay tuned!
England, after a heartbreaking 8-run loss to Afghanistan, find themselves eliminated from the tournament and will now look to salvage some pride. This match also marks Jos Buttler’s final game as captain, as he steps down after a challenging run in recent times. England’s aggressive approach in batting has backfired on multiple occasions, and while players like Ben Duckett and Joe Root have shown stability, the team as a whole has struggled to execute its plans effectively. The bigger concern, however, has been their bowling, which has failed to live up to expectations.
Hello and a warm welcome to the final game of Group B in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Stadium in Karachi. A dejected England side, already knocked out of the tournament, take on South Africa, who have everything to play for as they eye a semifinal spot. Both teams enter this match with different motivations, but we are in for an exciting contest.
... MATCH DAY ...
Two matches played apiece, one team eliminated, and with Australia advancing into the knockouts, though off a rain-splashed game, only one spot remains for the fight to the semis. This is how the Group B situation reads as we speak. The cricketing cauldron of Karachi is set to witness another high-voltage clash as South Africa takes on a dejected England in Match 11. The English camp, fresh from their agonizing 8-run defeat to Afghanistan, have already packed their semifinal dreams away - a stunning fall for a team once feared in white-ball cricket and of course, the 2019 World Cup champions. England's ODI fortunes have plummeted dramatically, with their seventh place in the ICC rankings telling its own painful story. Their tournament woes stem not from a lack of runs – they've consistently crossed the 300-mark - but from a batting approach that sacrifices longevity for aggression. Only Ben Duckett and the ever-reliable Joe Root, who crafted a magnificent century, have shown the necessary temperament. With Jos Buttler struggling for form and the middle order firing well below capacity, England's bowlers have shouldered an impossible burden. Unable to defend even 355 against Australia and watching helplessly as Afghanistan piled on 325, their attack hasn't managed to bowl out a single opponent. But it’s a completely different scenario for South Africa though. And only a win can sure-shot assure their place in the knockouts. Well, South Africa and rains during crucial games has been the most painful love story to be honest. Of what could’ve potentially been a belter of a game, their match versus Australia got abandoned without the toss. Yet this South African side has transformed into a white-ball juggernaut in recent times. From their impressive ODI World Cup showing in 2023 to their exhilarating run to the T20 World Cup 2024 final, they've consistently proven their mettle on the global stage. The painful irony remains – for all their brilliance and determination, that elusive trophy continues to slip through their fingers. Proteas packing a punch that'll make bowlers flinch! Rickelton's explosive arrival at the top has transformed South Africa's batting into a highlight reel waiting to happen, and that century against Afghanistan? Just a taste of what's coming. With Temba Bavuma back in the runs, and the ever-dangerous Markram-Miller combo bringing the middle-order muscle, means more stability. Now throw Heinrich Klaasen into that mix and you've got a batting lineup that doesn't just score runs, it creates tremors. In the bowling front, despite not getting the services of Anrich Nortje due to an injury, the Rabada-Ngidi-Jansen pace triumvirate has enough gas to control the runs. And with the likes of Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, highly acclimatised to bowl on slow and low pitches, this rounds up their potent bowling attack. South Africa has been in Pakistan for almost three weeks now, since that tri-series. And now they face England in Karachi after an unusual week-long match hiatus, leaving questions about whether this break has refreshed or disrupted their rhythm. The Proteas hold a clear 3-1 edge in recent head-to-head encounters though, including last year's dominant 229-run World Cup victory in 2023. Early tournament evidence from Karachi suggests batting first provides a significant advantage, with both previous matches won by the team setting totals. Pitch conditions may increasingly favor spin as the game progresses. Though England has little at stake, South Africa enters with qualification pressure squarely on their shoulders. The City of Lights hosts what promises to be a compelling contest between two sides with very different tournament circumstances.
We are back for the chase! The players are already out in the middle now. Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs are the two openers for South Africa. Jofra Archer to start proceedings with the ball. Here we go...
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