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The Champions Trophy 2025 witnessed a breathtaking moment in the final Group B match between South Africa and England. With South Africa vying for a semi-final spot and England playing for pride, the stakes were high at the National Stadium in Karachi. Amidst this intense battle, Marco Jansen produced a moment of magic that left fans and players alike in awe.
A high-stakes encounter for South Africa
The clash between South Africa and England carried significant implications for the tournament. South Africa needed a win to secure their semi-final berth, while England, already eliminated after losses to Australia and Afghanistan, sought to salvage some pride. For South Africa, this was an opportunity to solidify their dominance, while for England, it was about ending their campaign on a high note and giving captain Jos Buttler a memorable send-off.
The match began with England opting to bat first on a surface expected to favour batters. However, the English lineup faltered against a disciplined South African bowling attack led by Jansen and Keshav Maharaj. As wickets tumbled, one moment stood out above all—a stunning catch by Jansen that epitomized athleticism and determination.
Marco Jansen plucks an astonishing catch to dismiss Harry Brook
In the 17th over of England’s innings, Maharaj bowled a tossed-up delivery on the leg stump to Harry Brook. Brook attempted to clear the midwicket boundary but failed to get the desired elevation. The ball hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity as it drifted toward deep midwicket.
Jansen, positioned at long-on sprinted 28 meters across the field with unrelenting focus. As the ball descended, he dived full stretch to his right, sliding onto his knees while completing the catch cleanly. The crowd erupted as replays confirmed that Jansen had pulled off one of the finest catches of the tournament. Brook’s dismissal at a crucial juncture left England reeling at 99/4.
The brilliance of Jansen’s effort was not just in his athleticism but also in his composure under pressure. The TV broadcast highlighted the distance he covered and the precision with which he executed the catch—truly a testament to his fielding prowess.
Here’s the video:
Brook’s gone, thanks to a fantastic catch by Jansen and a brilliant delivery by Maharaj! You just can’t keep Jansen out of the game.#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar 👉 #SAvENG | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 2 & Sports18-1 pic.twitter.com/u2v2apptVa
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 1, 2025
Also READ: SA vs ENG: Here’s why Temba Bavuma is not playing today’s Champions Trophy 2025 match
England’s struggles continue with a collapsing batting lineup
England’s innings never gained momentum after Brook’s departure. At 153/7 after 30 overs, their batting woes were evident. Jansen was instrumental in dismantling England’s top order, claiming three key wickets—Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, and Jamie Smith—while maintaining an economy rate of 5.80.
Joe Root (37 off 44) provided some resistance, but his dismissal by Wiaan Mulder further dented England’s hopes. Buttler (14* off 27) remained unbeaten but struggled to accelerate against South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack. Maharaj complemented Jansen’s efforts with two wickets of his own, including Liam Livingstone and Brook.
South Africa in control to claim the final spot
South Africa entered this match with three points from two games and a healthy net run rate (+2.140). A win would guarantee their semi-final spot alongside Australia from Group B. Afghanistan, with an inferior net run rate (-0.99), needed an improbable sequence of events to qualify instead of South Africa.
England’s campaign had been disappointing, marked by batting collapses and inconsistent bowling performances. This match served as an opportunity for introspection as they look ahead to rebuilding their white-ball strategy for future tournaments.
