Summary

South Africa fall to 24-6 as Archer dominates

Live Reporting

by Mike Peter, Ffion Wynne & Henry Cowling

  1. dropped catch

    Bethell dropped on 44

    Eng 193-2

    'He should have got his hands around it' - Burger drops Bethell at mid-on

    Another one goes down!

    Jacob Bethell miscues a pull shot straight to Nandre Burger at mid-on but he spills the simplest of chances.

    It was struck firmly but he didn't have to move.

  2. Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on Test Match Special

    If you're in the South Africa camp, you'd currently be thinking 'this is a great batting wicket' and that can get into your mind - even though it maybe it isn't like that and perhaps you just haven't bowled as well as you can.

    If I was Temba Bavuma, I'd want to know from the support staff 'have we bowled badly, or is it a good wicket?'

  3. Eng 191-2

    Corbin Bosch bowls vs EnglandGetty Images

    Frustration for Corbin Bosch, who's had an excellent series with the ball.

    The final ball of the over is too full and Joe Root tickles it fine for his second boundary.

  4. Kieran Parmley
    CricViz analyst

    The promotion of Jacob Bethell has pushed Keshav Maharaj away from his tried and tested stump-to-stump method in ODIs. Only 25% of the deliveries Maharaj has bowled to Bethell this series are hitting the stumps, down from 43% to the rest of England's batters.

  5. Aatif Nawaz
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Joe Root bats vs South AfricaGetty Images

    Joe Root is accumulating as serenely as ever. England are building nicely, simmering almost.

  6. Eng 184-2

    Cheers, Mike. How are we all?

    This has been very pleasant viewing for a Sunday afternoon. Joe Root and Jacob Bethell have serenely led England to a very promising position.

    Root has 41 from 45 balls, which only includes one four so far. Textbook.

  7. Eng 179-2

    Changes at both ends as Corbin Bosch replaces Keshav Maharaj.

    Seven runs come off his over as England reach the half way stage in good order.

    To see if they can crack onto a really big total, here's Ffion Wynne.

  8. Eng 172-2

    RootReuters

    Codi Yusuf returns and Jacob Bethell eases the seamer's final ball through third for another boundary.

    Excellent timing from the 21-year-old.

    Prior to that, a two from Root behind square brought up the 50 partnership from 44 balls - this pair also put on 77 at Lord's.

  9. Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on Test Match Special

    South Africa have bowled three or four good balls and then relieved the pressure, so England haven't taken much risk and the run-rate is seven an over.

  10. Matthew Henry
    BBC Sport journalist in Southampton

    Jacob Bethell has never scored a professional century...

  11. Eng 163-2

    Lovely strokeplay from Jacob Bethell.

    He drops to paddle Keshav Maharaj over his shoulder for three, then reverse sweeps the spinner for four.

    He's on 30 from 21 balls at the end of the over.

  12. Eng 154-2

    Joe Root turns Nandre Burger off his legs, bringing up England's 150.

    Jacob Bethell then slams the left-arm seamer's final delivery square for his third four.

    England are going at exactly seven an over.

  13. Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on Test Match Special

    I have such a high level of respect for Jamie Smith's talent and what he could achieve in one-day cricket. There's the element of frustration that he has the ability to bat risk free.

    He needs to learn to manage his batting and go up and down the gears, like Joe Root does. If he learns that, he could dominate at the top of the order for years to come.

  14. Matthew Henry
    BBC Sport journalist in Southampton

    We mentioned earlier that Jacob Bethell has admitted he should have played more this summer.

    Before this innings he had only faced 387 balls in all formats this summer compared to 1,480 in 2024.

    Have a read of those stats and what he has had to say about it.

  15. Eng 147-2

    Lovely stuff from Jacob Bethell, firing Keshav Maharaj through the covers for four.

    One more single takes him to 19 from 13 balls.

  16. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    John (12:39) raises a good point. Phil Salt's flaw was that he arguably wasn't selfish enough. He'd get to 50 or 60, then get out hitting out when actually slowing down and taking the easy runs on offer would have been better both for his own average and probably for the team. Hope Smith finds that balance as he gets accustomed to the role.

    Jack

  17. Eng 139-2

    RootReuters

    Nandre Burger concedes just two runs off his fifth over, with both of them coming from a Joe Root shot sent to backward square.

    It's almost four, but Wiaan Mulder does some good work to keep the ball away from the ropes.

    The first boundary-less over since the 11th.

  18. 6 runs

    Eng 137-2

    Sent down the ground!

    Jacob Bethell dispatches Keshav Maharaj's last ball, lofting it over the ropes behind the bowler for his first six.

  19. Kieran Parmley
    CricViz analyst

    England have now lost 20 wickets to left-arm spin in their 10 ODIs this year, at an average of 24.1. Full Member nations collectively average 30.8 against left-arm spin this year.

  20. Eng 128-2

    Jacob Bethell bats vs South AfricaGetty Images

    Nandre Burger returns, changing ends from his first stint to replace Wiaan Mulder.

    Jacob Bethell sends his fourth ball aerially to the right of the square fielder, picking up his first boundary.