South Africa delivered a stunning blow to beleaguered defending champions England, leaving them on the brink of an early exit from the tournament. This marks England`s third loss in four matches, including a shocking defeat to Afghanistan.
With this dominant performance to bounce back immediately from the defeat to the Netherlands in their previous game, South Africa have once again announced themselves as one of the favourites to win the tournament.
Three wins out of four leaves them trailing only India and New Zealand, and the Proteas have arguably shown they possess more weapons to hurt opposition teams than at least one of the two teams ahead of them. More potential potential matchwinners who can grab a game by the scruff of the neck and make it theirs at any moment - especially with the bat.
Put into bat, South Africa posted an imposing 399 for 7, with Heinrich Klaasen`s explosive 109 off 61 balls and Marco Jansen`s unbeaten 75 off 42 balls. England faltered in their reply, plummeting to 38-4 after 8.1 overs, eventually succumbing for 170 in just 22 overs.
Klaasen and Jansen`s partnership of 151 propelled South Africa to the second-highest total in the tournament`s history. England`s struggle continued as they faced their heaviest defeat by runs in ODIs, bowled out with 28 overs to spare.
This resounding victory solidifies South Africa`s third position with six points, while England languishes in ninth place, tied with Afghanistan at two points.
Reeza Hendricks stepped up in the absence of skipper Temba Bavuma, scoring 85 off 75 balls, forming a crucial partnership with Rassie van der Dussen (60 off 61). Adil Rashid`s breakthroughs momentarily halted South Africa`s momentum.
Despite battling cramps and intense humidity, Klaasen`s explosive hitting elevated South Africa to a monumental total, with 15 fours and 10 sixes in the last 10 overs.
England`s pursuit of a daunting 400-run target faltered from the start, with three of their top four batters failing to reach double figures. Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen wreaked havoc, while Gerald Coetzee`s 3-35 left England reeling.
Mark Wood`s blistering 43 not out off 17 balls provided a glimmer of resistance, but it was not enough to overcome South Africa`s dominant display.
Gus Atkinson`s valiant 35 was a lone effort to reduce the staggering deficit, but the outcome was never in doubt.
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