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The second ODI between hosts England and South Africa was poised on a knife’s edge, with the visiting side in a commanding position to chase down a daunting target. However, as the innings progressed into its crucial death overs, a single moment of brilliance shifted the momentum dramatically. On a day where Matthew Breetzke was carving out a dazzling performance, Jofra Archer, in his pursuit of a vital breakthrough, produced a delivery that would not only end a spectacular knock but also inject a new sense of hope into the English camp, showcasing a masterful combination of skill and deception at a pivotal point in the game.
Jofra Archer’s deceptive slower ball ends Matthew Breetzke’s brilliant knock during ENG vs SA 2nd ODI
At a critical juncture of the South African chase, with the scorecard reading a strong 240/4 in the 39th over, Archer delivered a masterstroke that brought an end to Breetzke’s sensational innings. With the batter on a well-made 85 and rapidly approaching a deserved century, Archer unleashed a perfectly executed slower ball, a deadly yorker that dipped late and swung away just enough to deceive the in-form batter. Breetzke, who had been timing his shots beautifully all day, was unable to get his bat down in time, and the ball thudded into his pads.
Archer’s impassioned appeal was met with the umpire’s raised finger, a decision that prompted a review from the South African side. However, before the ball-tracking technology could even confirm the verdict, a disappointed Breetzke had already begun his walk back to the pavilion, instinctively knowing his luck had run out. The ball-tracking confirmed the umpire’s call, showing the ball crashing into the middle stump, leaving no doubt about the dismissal. This bit of drama, combined with the odd review, only highlighted the sheer quality of Archer’s delivery. Breetzke’s dazzling knock of 85, which featured seven fours and three sixes, deservedly earned him a round of applause from the Headingley crowd as he walked off, but it was Archer who had delivered a crucial breakthrough, giving England a much-needed lift.
Here’s the video:
The slower ball does the trick 👌
Archer strikes to remove the dangerous Breetzke ☝ pic.twitter.com/YVVHhZWwbU
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 4, 2025
Also READ: ENG vs SA, 2nd ODI: Here’s why Wiaan Mulder is not playing today’s match
South Africa’s dominant innings propelled by Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs
Winning the toss and choosing to field first at Lord’s, England’s bowlers faced a formidable challenge as South Africa posted a commanding total of 330/8 in their 50 overs. The Proteas’ innings was built on a series of crucial partnerships, demonstrating both a strong top-order foundation and aggressive middle-order hitting. Ryan Rickelton (35) and Aiden Markram (49) got the team off to a solid start, putting on a brisk 73 for the first wicket. Although England managed to fight back with some quick wickets, reducing South Africa to 93/3, the innings was rebuilt by the masterful hands of Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs.
The duo’s exceptional fourth-wicket partnership of 147 runs took the game away from England. Breetzke was the top scorer with a brilliant 85 off just 77 balls, while Stubbs chipped in with a well-made 58. Their dismissals in the death overs brought new batsmen to the crease, with Dewald Brevis providing a late surge, smashing a quickfire 42 off 20 deliveries. On the bowling front, Archer was the standout performer for England, finishing with four wickets for 62 runs, including three crucial strikes in the final powerplay. Adil Rashid provided excellent control and a few breakthroughs, taking two wickets for just 33 runs.
