England Set New ODI Record, Beat South Africa by 342 Runs

England created cricket history on Sunday with a record-breaking performance in the third and final One Day International (ODI) against South Africa at the Rose Bowl. What started as an important decider turned into a historic match that will be remembered for years to come.

England not only defeated South Africa but completely crushed them. Chasing an impossible target of 415 runs, the Proteas collapsed for just 72 runs in only 20.5 overs. This gave England a massive 342-run victory — the largest winning margin in the history of 50-over cricket.

Before this, the record belonged to India, who beat Sri Lanka by 317 runs in 2023. With this win, England not only broke that record but also achieved their biggest-ever ODI victory. Their previous best was a 242-run win against Australia in Nottingham back in 2018.

Largest Winning Margins in ODI Cricket (by runs)

1. England – 342 runs vs South Africa (Sept 7, 2025)
2. India – 317 runs vs Sri Lanka (Jan 15, 2023)
3. Australia – 309 runs vs Netherlands (Oct 25, 2023)
4. Zimbabwe – 304 runs vs USA (Jun 26, 2023)
5. India – 302 runs vs Sri Lanka (Nov 2, 2023)

This result clearly shows how one-sided the game was and highlights England’s dominance on the day.

England’s Batting Brilliance

Batting first, England’s top order gave a masterclass in aggressive yet smart cricket. Young opener Jacob Bethell stole the show, scoring a breathtaking 110 runs from just 82 balls. His innings was filled with confident strokes all around the ground.

Experienced campaigner Joe Root added stability, playing a classic innings of 100 runs off 96 balls. His calm approach balanced Bethell’s attacking style.

Jamie Smith, opening alongside Bethell, also shined with 62 runs from 48 deliveries, setting the tone early in the innings. Later, Jos Buttler entertained the crowd with his trademark power-hitting, smashing 62 runs from just 32 balls. His quickfire innings ensured England crossed the 400-run mark with ease.

Together, these contributions lifted England to a huge total of 415, leaving South Africa with an uphill battle.

South Africa’s Struggles

In reply, South Africa never looked settled. Their batting lineup collapsed under pressure against England’s fiery bowling. Corbin Bosch was the top scorer with just 20 runs off 32 balls, which shows how badly the Proteas struggled.

Captain Temba Bavuma could not even bat, as he suffered a left calf injury while fielding. Without his presence, the South African chase looked even weaker and lacked leadership.

The team was bundled out for just 72 runs, marking one of their lowest totals in ODI history.

England’s Bowling Attack

If the batting was superb, the bowling was just as ruthless. Jofra Archer was the star with the ball, delivering deadly pace and accuracy. He picked up 4 wickets for only 18 runs in his 9 overs, leaving South Africa with no answers.

Veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid provided the spin magic, taking 3 wickets and breaking the middle order. Brydon Carse also contributed with 2 wickets, ensuring no South African batter could settle at the crease.

It was a complete team performance, where both batting and bowling clicked perfectly.

This victory is more than just a win for England — it is a statement of their strength in world cricket. Setting a new record for the biggest win in ODI history has placed them in the spotlight once again.

For South Africa, it was a day of disappointment, filled with missed opportunities and injury setbacks. But for England, it was a historic triumph that will be celebrated by their fans worldwide.

READ MORE: Mohammad Nawaz Hat-Trick Powers Pakistan to Tri-Series Title Win