England smashed South Africa on Sunday with a record win in the third one-day match at the Rose Bowl. The gap was 342 runs, the largest in one-day cricket. The result topped India’s 317-run win over Sri Lanka in 2023.

England, sent to bat first, stacked up 414-5 in 50 overs. Joe Root held the line with a steady 100. Young Jacob Bethell stole the show with 110 from 76 balls, his first ton.

His stand of 182 with Root drove the charge and made him England’s second-youngest one-day centurion after David Gower. Jos Buttler then struck hard, blasting 62 off 32 balls unbeaten, while Jamie Smith added a sharp 62.

Then, Jofra Archer ripped through South Africa’s top order with heat and bite, grabbing 4-18 in nine overs. The chase fell apart fast, as the visitors slumped to 7-4 and never found ground. They were skittled for 72 in just 20.5 overs. Brydon Carse and Adil Rashid wrapped it up, sharing five wickets to seal the rout.

Despite the heavy loss, South Africa had already won the series 2-1. Still, England’s huge win sent a bold note. The teams now turn to a three-match T20 run, starting September 10 in Cardiff. England will aim to ride their spark into the shorter game.

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South Africa’s Tony de Zorzi will miss the rest of the three-match ODI series against England after sustaining a hamstring injury during the opening game in Leeds. De Zorzi dived to stop a Jos Buttler shot from reaching the rope. Although he successfully saved it, he was badly injured.

A replacement has not been named, as de Zorzi had only been drafted to cover Matthew Breetzke, who missed the last ODI in Australia and the first in England due to his own left hamstring issue. However, he has since recovered and is available for Thursday’s second ODI, where he is expected to slot back into the No. 4 role.

It was later confirmed that Tony de Zorzi would not return, and with South Africa chasing only 132, he was not required to bat anymore. He will now return home to assess the damage.

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Cricket is a sport fueled by passion, precision, and national pride. Over the years, there have been key moments that shaped the way the sport is viewed and played. These iconic highlights such as dramatic last-ball victories, record-breaking scores, daring plays, and displays of sheer sportsmanship continue to echo through stadiums and conversations among fans around the world.

From fierce duels to jaw-dropping wins, here are some of the most iconic moments in cricket history that defined the sport: 

India's epic win in 1983 

In 1983, India made cricket history that still inspires fans today. It was the ICC Cricket World Cup, and few believed that India could win. The team faced the mighty West Indies, who had won the previous two titles.

In the match, India batted first and scored just 183 runs. Many thought this was a small total, but the bowlers stepped up to defend it. Earlier in the tournament, Kapil Dev played a legendary 175-run knock against Zimbabwe. His knock was full of grit and skill, rallying the team and shifting the game's tide.

When the West Indies came to bat, they were confident, but India’s bowlers delivered an impressive performance. They took crucial wickets and kept the West Indies from chasing down the score. The West Indies, known for their fierce batting, faltered under pressure against India’s epic play.

The start of One-Day Cricket (ODI)

The introduction of ODI cricket in the early 1970s revolutionised the cricket industry. This new format brought a fresh, fast-paced style that drew in fans and made matches more exciting. It was a shift from the long Test matches, allowing everyone to enjoy a full game in just one day.

Malinga's four wickets in 2007

In the 2007 Cricket World Cup, a thrilling match took place between Sri Lanka and South Africa. The game was intense, with South Africa chasing a target set by Sri Lanka. They looked strong and confident, but then came a moment that would be remembered forever.

Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lankan bowler known for his pace and unique style, took to the field and stepped up to bowl. In just one over, he took four wickets, stunning the crowd and players alike.

West Indies' T20 dominance

West Indies�?match against England in the 2016 T20 World Cup was full of excitement, with the West Indies needing a big score in the last over to claim the title. Carlos Brathwaite stepped up to bat, and the tension was high. 

The West Indies had fought hard, but the game was still in the balance. After a hard-fought battle, Carlos Brathwaite faced Ben Stokes and, with remarkable composure, hit four consecutive sixes to seal the victory for the West Indies. Each shot sent the ball soaring over the boundary, leaving the crowd in awe. With those sixes, he not only won the match but also sealed the West Indies' place as T20 giants.

These moments live on—not just in stats or clips, but in the hearts of fans. While new cricket stars will rise, these moments will stand the test of time, inspiring fans and players alike. 

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During the February 10 match against New Zealand in Lahore, South African batter Matthew Breetzke managed to make history by being the first batter to score 150 runs in men’s ODI. 

Considering this is the batter's first appearance in the tri-nation series, the feat that topped West Indies�?top batter Desmond Hayne’s record of 148 in 1978 shook the cricket sporting industry.  

The 26-year-old opener successfully took 148 balls in his 150-run innings, making him history’s first debut batter to do so. 

The opening batting by Breetzke started cautiously, and with the help of skipper Temba Bavuma, they managed to assess the game and started pouring runs. With efforts from another teammate, Jason Smith, they managed to hold on to the game and kept the scores flowing to their side. 

Despite hard work, New Zealand ironed a six-wicket win against South Africa and advanced to the tri-nation series finals.

Breetzke also became South Africa’s highest ODI debut scorer. The title was previously held by Colin Ingram, who scored a total of 124 runs in his debut ODI innings against Zimbabwe in 2010. 

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