Pakistan/Patiala, 01 March (Sports Desk)
South Africa secured their place in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a commanding seven-wicket victory over England in the final Group B match. The Proteas, led by stand-in captain Heinrich Klaasen, chased down a modest target of 180 with ease, thanks to half-centuries from Klaasen and Rassie van der Dussen.
The win confirmed South Africa’s progression to the knockout stage, while England’s disappointing campaign came to an end. This match also marked Jos Buttler’s final game as England’s ODI captain, following his announcement to step down from the role ahead of the fixture.
Match Summary
England Innings: 179 all out (38.4 overs)
England struggled from the outset, collapsing to 37/3 within the first seven overs after losing Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, and Ben Duckett early. A brief partnership of 62 between Joe Root (37) and Harry Brook (19) offered some resistance, but a middle-order collapse left England reeling.
Liam Livingstone (9) and Jamie Overton (11) fell cheaply, while Jofra Archer provided a late flourish with a quickfire 25. Jos Buttler, in his final ODI as captain, scored a sluggish 21 off 43 balls before being dismissed in the 36th over. Adil Rashid was the last man to fall, caught behind off Wiaan Mulder, as England were bowled out for their lowest total of the tournament.
South Africa’s bowlers were disciplined, with Mulder (2/25), Kagiso Rabada (2/30), and Keshav Maharaj (2/35) sharing the bulk of the wickets.
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South Africa Innings: 180/3 (32.2 overs)
In reply, South Africa’s chase was anchored by a solid 98-run partnership between Heinrich Klaasen (68) and Rassie van der Dussen (58). Despite losing Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs early to Jofra Archer, the Proteas never looked troubled.
Klaasen fell late in the innings, caught by Saqib Mahmood off Adil Rashid, but David Miller sealed the win in style, hitting a six off the second ball he faced to take South Africa over the line.
Key Moments
- England’s Top-Order Collapse: The early wickets of Salt, Smith, and Duckett set the tone for England’s struggles.
- Klaasen and Van der Dussen’s Partnership: The duo steadied South Africa’s chase and ensured there were no late hiccups.
- Miller’s Finishing Touch: The experienced David Miller ended the match with a trademark six, showcasing his composure under pressure.
What This Means
South Africa’s victory confirmed their place in the semi-finals, joining Australia from Group B. For England, the loss marked the end of a disappointing campaign, having already been eliminated after two consecutive defeats.
Teams
England: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood.
South Africa: Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
Looking Ahead
South Africa will now prepare for their semi-final clash, aiming to continue their strong form in the tournament. Meanwhile, England will reflect on a campaign that fell short of expectations, with changes likely in their ODI setup following Buttler’s departure as captain.
For more updates and highlights, visit the ICC Match Centre or follow live coverage on ESPN Cricinfo and BBC Sport.
