England’s batting vulnerabilities were once again exposed in the last match of group B in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as South Africa’s disciplined attack dismantled their top order. With half the side back in the pavilion, the Jos Butler led team find themselves in dire straits against a Proteas team determined to seal their spot in the semi-finals.
Protean bowlers taking the lead:
After Marco Jansen’s early strikes left England struggling, Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj joined the wicket taking rally, delivering crucial blows to further dent England’s innings. The latest setback came when Joe Root, England’s most composed batter of the day, was castled by Mulder for 37. Attempting to flick a full, angling delivery toward the leg side, Root misjudged the movement, allowing the ball to clip his pad before crashing into middle and off stump.
Just moments before Root’s wicket, vice-captain Harry Brook perished while trying to accelerate. Targeting Maharaj for a big shot over midwicket, Brook connected well, but the swirling Karachi breeze carried the ball just short of the boundary. Marco Jansen, already England’s tormentor with the ball, sprinted from long-on and executed a stunning diving catch to complete Brook’s dismissal. The TV broadcast confirmed that Jansen covered 28 meters to grab a catch that further tightened South Africa’s grip on the contest.
Current score:
ENG 108/5(19 overs)
Batters at the crease:
Jos Butler 3(3)
Liam Livingstone 4(8)
The onus now falls on the two batters to stabilize the innings and reach to a decent total as the Protean bowlers continue to dominate the match at the Karachi stadium
