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