Breetzke’s record half-century powers SA to series win in Lord’s thriller

South Africa 330/8 in 50 overs (Matthew Breetzke 85, Tristan Stubbs 58; Jofra Archer 4-62, Adil Rashid 2-33) beat England 325/9 in 50 overs (Jos Buttler 61, Joe Root 61; Nandre Burger 3-63, Keshav Maharaj 2-59) by 5 runs

Lord's

South Africa secured a narrow five-run win against England in a thrilling contest at Lord's, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and securing their first ODI series win in England since 1998.

Chasing 331 for victory, England lost opener Jamie Smith caught behind off the first ball of the innings. Joe Root gave England the early impetus, taking on Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger. However, Ben Duckett struggled and was eventually cleaned up by Maharaj on 14.

Jacob Bethell and Root provided the solidity and pace through the middle overs. Bethell took down Keshav Maharaj, spanking the spinner for a six and three boundaries off successive deliveries. Root brought up his 43rd ODI fifty, surpassing Eoin Morgan's tally as the highest by an English batter. They put on a 77-run stand for the third wicket.

Jos Buttler stitched handy partnerships with Harry Brook and Will Jacks, adding 69 and 40-run stands respectively. However, with Ngidi cleaning up Buttler, England's innings came apart.

Jofra Archer's late assault kept England in the hunt, smashing a 14-ball 27 before inside-edging a good length delivery to short fine leg.

Earlier, half-centuries by Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs laid the platform for South Africa's 330 for 8. Markram and Rickelton provided a solid start with a 73-run stand.

Archer had Rickelton and Temba Bavuma caught behind in successive overs, and Markram fell one short of a half-century.

Breetzke and Stubbs then combined to revive the innings with a stellar 147-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Breetzke became the first player to register half-centuries in each of his first five ODI innings.

Brevis made up for his fault with a breezy 20-ball 42, smashing Bethell and Carse for sixes in consecutive overs. After he departed, the mantle of picking late boundaries fell on Bosch.