South Africa beat hosts England easily despite missing Rabada and Klaasen

Leeds: Test world champions South Africa, on Tuesday, invited hosts England to bat first in the opening ODI of the series, bowled them out for just 131 runs and then they comfortably chased the target, scoring 137/3 in 20.5 overs to seal victory. South Africa’s star fast bowler Kagiso Rabada missed the match due to injury, while Heinrich Klaasen has now retired from international cricket. Under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, South Africa lead the series 1-0. The second match will be played at Lord’s on Thursday, and the final ODI will take place in Southampton on Sunday.

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Most England players entered this series fatigued, having just completed The Hundred tournament, which ended on Sunday. With knowledge that teams chasing have had better success at Leeds, captain Bavuma opted to field first on a dry pitch.

England’s only notable batting contribution came from opener Jamie Smith (54 runs off 48 balls, 10 fours). No other English batter scored more than 15 runs. In Rabada’s absence, Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi led the pace attack, taking one wicket each. However, Wiaan Mulder took 3/33, while spinner Keshav Maharaj dismantled England with 4/22.

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Chasing a modest 132, South Africa started strongly. Openers Aiden Markram (86 off 55 balls, 13 fours, 2 sixes) and wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton (31* off 59 balls, 4 fours) shared a 121-run partnership, bringing their team close to victory in 18.1 overs. South Africa briefly stumbled, losing three wickets for 10 runs to spinner Adil Rashid, but Rickelton and Dewald Brevis (6* not out) saw them home in the 21st over.

With four wickets that kept England to a low score, Keshav Maharaj was named Player of the Match.