England’s batting struggles deepened in their final ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group-stage clash as skipper Jos Buttler fell for 21, handing South Africa complete control of the contest.Protean fast bowler Lungi Ngidi delivered the latest blow to the Three Lions, dismissing the England captain with a well-directed delivery that was chipped straight to mid-off. With this wicket Ngidi completed 100 wickets in One-day internationals.
Buttler’s last innings as England skipper:
Buttler, playing his final match as England’s white-ball skipper, looked to anchor the innings after the top order crumbled under relentless South African pressure. However, his innings never truly gained momentum, with his 43-ball stay at the crease yielding just 21 runs at a strike rate of 48.83. Ngidi, maintaining a tight line and length, induced a mistimed shot as Buttler failed to generate enough power, sending a simple catch to Keshav Maharaj at mid-off.
With Buttler’s departure, England finds itself in dire straits, having already lost key batters including Ben Duckett, Joe Root, and Harry Brook. The Proteas’ disciplined bowling attack has exploited England’s vulnerabilities, restricting scoring opportunities while consistently striking at crucial moments.
For South Africa, the equation is clear—a victory here will confirm their semi-final berth, and they have left no room for complacency. With England now nine down, the Proteas will look to take the last wicket to end the innings and chase down what appears to be a below-par target.
Current Score:
ENG 174/9 (36 overs)
Adil Rashid 1(2) Lungi Ngidi 6-0-29-1
Saqib Mahmood 1(3) Wiaan Mulder 6-0-24-2
