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England hammer South Africa to claim consolation win
Jacob Bethell’s maiden international century and Joe Root’s 19th in the format, combined with a terrific four-fer from Jofra Archer in his opening spell, floored South Africa in the third ODI as England romped to 342-run statement win in Southampton despite having conceded the series earlier in the week. Riding on the back of the 182-run partnership between the two centurions, that was bookend by brisk 62 each from Jamie Smith and Jos Buttler on either side, England posted a daunting 414/5. Archer (4 for 18) and Brydon Carse had South Africa on the mat at 24/6 at the end of the PowerPlay, and the result was a foregone conclusion.
The openers laid the platform for England’s commanding batting show after South Africa opted to bowl. Smith put on 59 runs for the opening wicket with Ben Duckett (31 off 33) and another 58 with Root for the second wicket before departing for a quick 48-ball 62 himself – his second half-century of the series. Root was then joined by Bethell, and together the pair put on 182 runs in just 24 overs at more than 7.5 RPO.
While the experienced Root steadied the ship, the real fireworks were supplied by Bethell, who blasted his way to a 76-ball century – his first not just in international but in all professional cricket. He dominated the third-wicket stand with Root, eventually making 110 in just 82 deliveries to set up England’s finishers for a final flourish. Root, who batted at a sub-100 strike-rate for the better part of that partnership, in a sharp contrast to Bethell’s high-scoring ways, eventually picked up at the backend to raise a 95-ball hundred. He, however, couldn’t add more to it.
By then, though, Buttler had taken charge. He came in with intent and got going almost immediately with three boundaries in a 20-run over from Wiaan Mulder, and then took apart spin and pace with equal disdain on his way to a 27-ball half-century. Will Jacks played his part with an eight-ball cameo, making an unbeaten 19 to take England past the 400-run mark at the start of the final over before Buttler wrapped it up with three more boundary hits in the second half to eventually help his team to their seventh 400-plus score in the last decade.
That 414/5 was not without assistance though as South Africa conceded 27 extras, including a staggering 19 wides. Corbin Bosch (2 for 79) and Keshav Maharaj (2 for 61) were both expensive, but the only two bowlers to get on the board for the tourists.
England’s defence was then off to a dream start. Archer struck in each of his first-three overs, two of which were wicket-maidens. He dismissed the dangerous Aiden Markram, who edged a short and wide one behind off just the second delivery of the tall chase. Ryan Rickleton poked at a delivery that shaped away just a hint to take the edge to Buttler. Archer then ended Matthew Breetzke’s five-match fifty-hitting spree with a short ball that climbed onto him, took the top-edge and ultimately resulted in an easy third take for the wicketkeeper.
In the meantime, Wiaan Mulder was welcomed by a bouncer from Archer and lasted all of seven deliveries before falling to Brydon Carse in the second over of the innings without troubling the scorers. At 7 for 4 in first-half of their PowerPlay, the writing was on the wall for the visitors. Archer picked up his fourth in Tristan Stubbs, who had made 10 of South Africa’s 18 at the time of his departure.
Any form of resistance came from the lower order as Keshav Maharaj (17) and Bosch (20) put on a brief fight in the attempt to help their side crawl to a face-saving three-figure mark. That, however, wasn’t meant to be for Adil Rashid cleaned up the tail to finish with 3 for 13 from his 3.5 overs. With captain Temba Bavuma unable to bat due to a hamstring niggle, South Africa were skittled out for just 72 inside 21 overs.
After a convincing 7-wicket win in the first ODI and a narrow five-run last-ball thriller in second to seal the series, the visitors were totally outplayed in the third to hand England a consolation victory that incidentally now happens to be the biggest victory margin by runs in the format.
Brief scores:
England 414/5 in 50 overs (Jacob Bethell 110, Joe Root 100, Jos Buttler 62*, Jamie Smith 62) beat South Africa 72 all out in 20.5 overs (Jofra Archer 4-18, Adil Rashid 3-13, Brydon Carse 2-33) by 342 runs
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (20) paid his last respects to the remains of Most Venerable Kappetiyagoda Siri Wimala Thera, Anunayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and Chief Incumbent of the Rajopawanaramaya Temple in Gatambe, Kandy, who passed away.
The President visited the Rajopawanaramaya Temple in Gatambe, Kandy, where the remains of the Thera are lying, and paid his last respects. He subsequently expressed his deepest condolences to the Maha Sangha and the temple’s Dayaka Sabha, who are mourning the passing of the Thera.
Central Province Governor and Consultant Physician Dr Harsha Suranga Fernando, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta and several others were present.
President’s Media Division (PMD)
India opener Shafali Verma has received an official reprimand and a demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second T20I against Zimbabwe on Sunday.
Shafali, an ICC release said, breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”
It was Shafali’s first offence in a 24-month period.
The incident occurred in the 12th over of Zimbabwe’s innings when Shafali threw the ball into the ground in frustration after dropping a chance at mid-off offered by Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano off Sree Charani.
Shafali admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee GS Lakshmi, which meant there was no need for a formal hearing.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
India currently lead the three-match series 2-0 with the third game to be played on Tuesday evening. The T20Is will be followed by three ODIs in Vadodara from October 23.
(Cricinfo)
A total of 146 players will be competing for 27 available slots in the WPL 2027 mini auction on October 28 in Kochi. Of these, England batter Sophia Dunkley and Australia captain Sophie Molineux are the only two players who have listed themselves at the maximum base price of INR 50 lakh.
The auction pool has 119 Indian players, including 22 capped and 97 uncapped players, with 20 slots available for Indian players. The overseas pool has 27 players – 14 capped and 13 uncapped – including six from Associate teams, with seven slots available.
G Kamalini (released by Mumbai Indians), Kiran Navigre (released by U P Warriorz), Heather Graham and Jess Jonassen have registered at the second-highest base price of INR 40 lakh, while a total of 30 players have registered at INR 30 lakh.
Among the notable absentees are West Indies allrounder Deandra Dottin, who was released by UPW, and Australia legspinner Alana King, who was released by Delhi Capitals. Lizelle Lee, who was DC’s highest run-scorer last season, has also not listed herself after being released by the franchise.
What the teams look like going into the auction
Only two English players – Dunkley and Kira Chathli (INR 10 lakh) – have registered for the auction, with several others, including Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Alice Capsey, Dani Gibson, Lauren Filer and Linsey Smith opting to skip the WPL next year.
Cricinfo has learned that England are likely to play three T20Is in Sri Lanka in early February, which will clash with the final week of the WPL. While the ECB is likely to allow players to stay in India to complete the tournament, most players have instead chosen to prioritise their international commitments ahead of the Champions Trophy later that month.
The relatively low salaries on offer at the WPL are also understood to be a factor in many English players deciding not to register, with most internationals earning significantly more to play in the Hundred (up to £190,000 last year) than the highest permitted base price in the WPL of INR 50 lakh (£40,000 approx).
Molineux was part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru [RCB] title-winning squad in 2024, and had bagged 12 wickets in ten games at an economy rate of 7.31. She was retained by RCB for the 2025 season but a knee injury ruled her out of the season. Dunkley, meanwhile, played for Gujarat Giants [GT] in 2023 before opting not to register for the 2024 season. She went unsold in the 2025 auction.
Among the premier internationals who have listed themselves for INR 30 lakh are Australia allrounder Grace Harris (released by RCB), Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, South Africa left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba and South Africa allrounder Chloe Tryon.
UPW, who released nine players, will go into the auction with the biggest purse of INR 3.75 crore.
[Cricinfo]
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State patronage for the cremation ceremony of the late deputy prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of the Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya, Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha, Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero
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