Mumbai (Maharashtra): It was South Africa's show at the Wankhede Stadium here on Saturday as they decimated defending champions England by a massive 229 runs in a lop-sided affair of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. South Africa first posted 399/7 on the board, thanks to Heinrich Klassen's blistering 109. South African bowlers then dished out a clinical show and bundled out England for 170 in 22 overs.
England's chase never got going and lost half of their side for just 67. South African bowlers wreaked havoc. For England, openers Jonny Bairstow (10), Dawid Malan (6), one down Joe Root (2), and all-rounder Ben Stokes (5) fell cheaply as the side suffered a top and middle-order collapse.
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Wickets kept on tumbling for England as their batters made a beeline to the pavilion. A late onslaught by Gus Atkinson ( 35 off 21 balls), in which he hammered seven boundaries and an unbeaten 17-ball 43 by Mark Wood, who smashed two fours and five sixes, only delayed the inevitable. For England, injured Reece Toply did not bat. For South Africa, Gerald Coetzee was the pick of the bowlers as he returned with exceptional figures of 3/35. Lungi Ngidi (2/26), Marco Jansen (2/35), Kagiso Rabada (1/38) and Keshav Maharaj (1/27) played their parts to perfection.
With the win, South Africa has jumped to third place, while England, who suffered their third loss in the marquee tournament, slipped to ninth place. Klaasen for his aggressive century for adjudged as the Player of the Match.
This was England's biggest defeat in ODIs by runs. Earlier, England skipper Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to bowl first in the match. South African opener Quinton de Kock was dismissed early in the innings by pacer Reece Topley on a score of 4. However, Reeza Hendricks (85) and Rassie van der Dussen (60) joined forces after that to add 121 runs for the second wicket to put South Africa in a strong position. They laid the foundation of the big total for South Africa on a batting-friendly track.
Both of them fell after scoring fifties but the venue then witnessed a Klaasen show. Klaasen played a sensational knock of 109 runs from just 67 balls. Also, he stitched a partnership of 151 runs for the sixth wicket along with Marcio Jansen, who played a blitz of unbeaten 75 runs. The duo pummeled a listless English attack to submission. It was raining sixes and fours at the Wankhede as the crowd cheered for the South Africans. Klaasen had all shots in book. He ensured that South Africa neared the 400-run mark and ended at a mammoth total of 399/7.
South Africa will next play Bangladesh at the same venue.
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