ICC Men’s ODI World Cup: South Africa hand England their biggest-ever ODI loss

England lost by 229 runs to South Africa following a brilliant century by Heinrich Klassen.

Oct 22, 2023 - 02:30

ICC Men’s ODI World Cup: South Africa hand England their biggest-ever ODI loss

Heinrich Klaasen scored a brilliant century as South Africa thrashed England by a mammoth 229 runs at the 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup on Saturday to leave the champions’ title defence hanging by a thread as they suffered a record defeat in a one-day international.

Klaasen made 109, despite being repeatedly troubled by cramp, as South Africa posted a colossal 399-7 – the highest total conceded by England at this level.

England then collapsed to 68-6 and were 170-9, with exactly 28 overs to spare, when the match ended, with last man Reece Topley unable to bat following a hand injury suffered during South Africa’s innings.

This crushing loss was England’s heaviest ODI defeat following a 221-run reverse against Australia at Melbourne in 2002.

Klaasen received brilliant support from Marco Jansen in a sixth-wicket stand of 151 in just 77 balls.

Jansen finished on 75 not out – his maiden ODI fifty – having struck three fours and six sixes. He then followed up with two early wickets in his more familiar role of left-arm quick.

Not even Ben Stokes, playing his first game of the tournament, could rescue England this time, with the talisman caught and bowled by Kagiso Rabada for just five.

England’s third defeat in four games, including a shock...