Righto, time for me to bid farewell. England’s capitulation has left me with an unexpected bonus of an hour or so’s daylight and the opportunity to take a hyperactive toddler for a squelch and a splosh in the local park and maybe even a restorative shandy by a fireside.
Well played South Africa, a well earned Castle lager or two awaits for Aidan Markram’s side after a swaggering performance in a crucial game. Commiserations to England, it’ll be ice baths and a lorra lorra Loperamide for a few of them before they head back to the drawing board ahead of taking on Sri Lanka in Bangalore on Thursday.
We’ll be back to cover the top of the table clash between India and New Zealand tomorrow, that should be a good’un. Thanks to Tanya for taking the early shift and to you for your company and comments. Right, ‘to the Regiment!’ Ta-ra.
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Simon has sent in his match report – hot off the Wankhede wires:
They say the higher you rise, the harder you fall and England’s double world champions have fallen brutally hard. Despite being brought low by two defeats in their first three World Cup games they promised they could yet scale new heights; against South Africa they plumbed fresh depths: the most runs they have conceded and their biggest losing margin.
With a brilliant batting display, South Africa exposed all the frailties of their opponents, physical, mental and technical. England have not yet been definitively eliminated, but after this 229-run defeat it is only a matter of time. The grizzly picture is already clear: their old-timers thought this could be one last hurrah, instead it has been a bridge too far.
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All things must pass eh? That was a brutal loss for England in the Mumbai heat, they were out performed comprehensively by South Africa in every department. Buttler’s side now need to win all of their remaining matches and even then they aren’t guaranteed a space in the semi-finals. To say they are up against it would be a wild understatement.
How do you even come back after a loss like that? In truth, England’s entire campaign has been flat and muddled from the get go, taking it right back to the non selection/selection of Harry Brook at the end of September through to their three selection changes today and failure to read conditions/ seize the initiative at the toss. I fear that it could be a chastening few weeks coming up for them.
England concede their biggest ever ODI total, fall to their biggest ever defeat and sit on three defeats from four in their World Cup defence.
— Rory Dollard (@thervd) October 21, 2023
Feels like end of days stuff for this side but...they were great days.
Go. Figure.
Jos Buttler admits bowling first was 'potentially' a mistake.#ENGvSA #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/boSKsKrOmV
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 21, 2023
“Greetings James from an extremely windy Cape Town”
Back atcha from an exceedingly soggy Blighty, Trevor Tutu. Oh, wait a minute…
“I was sending ominous threats to my godson’s father, who lives in Richmond and supports England - seeing as how he is English - but they (the threats) were all about the rugby. I just wish that I had said some blood curdling stuff about the cricket.
I can, however, attest that the Springboks are using the services of the same witchdoctor as the Proteas have hired and that there will be no let up to the agony when the code changes from cricket to rugby for England’s sports fans.”
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Victorious captain Aiden Markram speaks:
It was a fantastic all-round performance, I couldn’t have asked for a bigger effort. We were slightly surprised at the toss - we’d have batted first and so we were happy it worked out that way. It was good that our big quicks weren’t cooking in the heat… It was a great way to bounce back after the Netherlands loss.”
Here is that Mott interview:
Matthew Mott confirms that Reece Topley has a suspected cracked finger but Jofra Archer will NOT be considered to replace him 👇 pic.twitter.com/xrKDMwrEjJ
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 21, 2023
Matthew Mott has just done an interesting interview to Ian Ward and Nasser Hussain on Sky. First of all he says poor Reece Topley has got a suspected broken finger, heartbreaking news for Topley after all the injuries he has suffered, one of which saw him miss out on the T20 world cup last year.
Mott goes on to say that Jofra Archer won’t be coming in to replace the beleaguered Toppers:
Admission from head coach Matthew Mott that England were suckered into bowling first (in an oven) by the ground stats. Also confirms Jofra Archer solely in India for rehab, won’t be selected if Reece Topley broken finger confirmed
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) October 21, 2023
The head coach seems to admit they made a big mistake in choosing to field first at the Wankhede today.
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JOS BUTTLER SPEAKS:
Here comes a particularly sad eyed England captain:
It’s incredibly disappointing. We came in with hopes of playing well but were well beaten. Lots of things didn’t go to plan for us during the first innnings – Reece Topley got injured and it was a tough 50 overs.”
I thought if we restricted them in 340-350 then we’d be in the game, bowling first is potentially a mistake in incredibly tough conditions. Everyone put in a great shift - the humidity, cramps and all other challenges… the loss leaves with no room for error.”
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Apologies to OBO followers and, I guess, to Mark Wood - in the haze of boundaries and wickets I mistakenly put that Wood was the last man out when it was in fact Gus Atkinson that was skittled at the last.
Good momentum to take into the rugby this
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) October 21, 2023
Crikey. That was an absolute demolition by South Africa. After their loss to Netherlands they bounce back to trounce the holders, they look like genuine contenders for the trophy. Wood and Atkinson blitzed 70 runs off 32 balls for that final wicket but even that won’t spare England’s blushes. Give me two tics to wade into the mailbag and the post mortem/match analysis.
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South Africa win by 229 runs!
A hail of boundaries… but then it is all over! Wood marmalised Maharaj for a four and two huge sixes before taking a single to bring Atkinson back on strike. GONE! All over now as Atkinson misses a skidder and sees his stumps splayed. A bit of fun at the end can’t mask the result, that was a hammering for England. Their World Cup hopes lie in tatters.
A truly disastrous day for the holders. #BBCCricket #CWC23 #ENGvSA pic.twitter.com/jeSW3jNv6r
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) October 21, 2023
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21st over: England 153-8 (Atkinson 35, Wood 26) Gus Atkinson! Eighteen runs blitzed off the over! England are going down in flames and a flurry of boundaries.
“It looks as though this England team is worn out and burnt out” emails Diana. Spirited stuff from Wood and Atkinson but this does feel like a loss to end an era.
That was special from South Africa. Hendricks is easy on the eye. But Klassen proved again he is a superstar. Marco Jansen as an allrounder is “growing” ☺️ into an outstanding all rounder.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 21, 2023
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20th over: England 135-8 (Atkinson 17, Wood 26) Ten runs off Maharaj’s over, Mark Wood is nearly pouched in the outfield once more but the balls lands a yard out of reach of David Miller in the deep. SIX! Wood gets down on his haunches and sweeps for a maximum.
19th over: England 125-8 (Atkinson 17, Wood 16) Good heart shown from Gus Atkinson who carts Ngidi away for four. A top edge is then nearly grabbed by Quinton de Kock behind the stumps but the ball lands just out of reach. The only blot on South Africa’s copybook that I can think of is a dropped catch by Hendricks off Wood in the last over. It was a goober, other than that it has been nearly perfik from the Proteas.
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18th over: England 118-8 (Atkinson 11, Wood 16) Mark Wood deploys the long handle and smashes 17 runs off Jansen. England only need 282 more runs to win! Pah!
Simon McMahon is in elegiac mood:
“It’s hard to see how England recover from this, James, and not just in this tournament either. End of the road in ODI’s for a fair few in this team I’d say, most of whom will be in their late 30’s in four years time. Certainly the end of an era. What an era, though.”
As Nelly Furtado once trilled Simon: “Flames to dust. Lovers to friends. Why do all good things come to an end?”
17th over: England 101-8 (Atkinson 10, Wood 0) Mark Wood arrives at the crease and it looks like this could be England’s final pairing with the bat as the camera pans to Reece Topley in the changing room sans pads. The big man injured his fingers earlier and England must not want to risk damaging his digits further on this now futile game.
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WICKET! Willey c Rabada b Ngidi 12 (England 103-8)
Willey launched Ngidi for six over mid on and then tries the same thing next ball but doesn’t get it, the ball plinks in the air and Rabada sprints round from and pulls of a fantastc grab! Diving at full stretch to take the catch. Ian Bishop purrs over the fast bowler’s fielding on the tv comms. South Africa have been flawless today. England? Well…
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WICKET! Rashid c Hendricks b Coetzee (England 84-7)
Big snick from a wild hack and Rashid is caught at slip by Hendricks. The Proteas have been truly excellent in this game, doing everything right and with high skill. That was a sharp catch, the ball screeching to slip off the cue end of Rashid’s bat.
“Hi James – Netflix has just notified me of the immediate availability of Bodies - still warm presumably, given the temperature in Mumbai.”
Buddumchhhh Brian Withington.
Gus Atkinson arrives at the crease and shows that their are absolutely no demons in this pitch by clipping two fours off Coetzee.
16th over: England 94-7 (Willey 7, Atkinson 10)
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15th over: England 84-6 (Willey 7, Rashid 10) England and Rashid eke out three runs off Rabada.
Accentuate the positives:
yeah but we can still smash you at darts, so pic.twitter.com/tHPhq3j9nV
— Jonathan Liew (@jonathanliew) October 21, 2023
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14th over: England 81-6 (Willey 6, Rashid 7) Spare a thought for Adil Rashid who is now out in the Mumbai heat scrapping with a dickie tummy scrabbling to try and reduce England’s mortal embarrassment to merely crushing distress. He spirits the wild eyed and Axl Rose headbanded Coetzee away for four.
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*David Brent Voice* ‘You’re still thinking about the bad news aren’t you?’
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13th over: England 74-6 (Willey 6, Rashid 0) England make it to drinks, just. Rabada nearly cleans up David Willey but an inside edge squirts past the stumps and away for four.
Live reaction to the England score. pic.twitter.com/xfFNR8VksK
— The Final Word (@Final_Word_Pod) October 21, 2023
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WICKET! Brook lbw b Coetzee 17 (England 68-6)
This is NOT A DRILL. Coetzee has his second scalp of the over and Harry Brook is the man to go, a cross-seam delivery skidded on and scuttled into Brook low on the pad, that was stone cold dead. Brook reviewed but he knew he was cooked. In comes a poorly Adil Rashid, this is purely damage limitation for England now but with the scale of this defeat their World Cup hopes could well be done. By my ropey maths they need to reach 179 to avoid this being their BIGGEST EVER LOSS in a men’s ODI. It is a mauling in Mumbai.
12th over: England 70-6 (Willey 2, Rashid 0)
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WICKET! Buttler c de Kock b Coetzee 15 (England 67-5)
England’s captain falls fencing tamely behind! Cripes, this is a disaster for England.
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11th over: England 67-4 (Brook 17, Buttler 15) Rabada stitches together a tidy maiden to Harry Brook.
In "Things I'd Rather Not Be Tweeting" news: England need to get to 83 to avoid the biggest ever loss in ODI cricket
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) October 21, 2023
GULP.
10th over: England 67-4 (Brook 17, Buttler 15) England hit back by pulverising 17 runs off the over! Jos Buttler looks in fine fettle – clipping off his pads for four, bunting powerfully through mid-off and then lofting for six in the same area! Gerald Coetzee is the burned bowler, he replaces Jansen who took 2-18 off his four over opening spell.
9th over: England 50-4 (Brook 16, Buttler 1 ) Buttler joins Brook in the middle with England’s final hopes resting on this pair doing something remarkable over the next couple of hours. Brook scorches a cut past backward point for four and then climbs into a free-hit, clubbing a Rabada full bunger into the stands for six. He won’t die wondering I shouldn’t think.
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WICKET! Stokes c & b Rabada 5 (England 38-4)
The Big Kahuna is gone! Rabada clings onto a sharp return catch and Stokes throws his bat in the air in frustration/disbelief/disappointment/insert synonym for *truly gutted* here.
In the not quite words of John Cooper Clarke - England are in deep deep dddd dddeep… doo doo.
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8th over: England 38-3 ( Stokes 6, Brook 5) Stokes gets off the mark with a pull for four! He was hurried up by Jansen but got enough on the ball to see it to the fence. A push for one will see England’s talisman keep strike.
“Given that England look pretty well on the ropes now, an early trip home becomes ever more likely” opines John Starbuck. “In which case, Buttler might well decide to resign and other changes will be in hand too. Predictions?”
Hmm – I’m not sure Buttler will resign if they crash out, there will be some inquiry though, especially if this match turns into the full mauling it looks like it could be. Will not be pretty.
“PS Hope the M1 journey went OK, it’s murder around Sheffield because of the interminable roadworks.”
Thanks John – made it safely from South London to just down the road from Sheffield - to my parents house in the Peak District, lots of flood water around, England are sinking in Mumbai…
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7th over: England 33-3 ( Stokes 0, Brook 5) Kagiso Rabada replaces Ngidi and he’s zoning in on the pads and stumps right away. Brook picks a single and England eke out four off the over, scampering leg-byes, feeding off plankton. Stokes is yet to get off the mark and looks decidedly like a man who hasn’t batted for a month.
6th over: England 29-3 ( Stokes 0, Brook 5) Close! Jansen spears the hat-trick ball into Harry Brook’s pad but the batter just manages to jam the bat down in time, that was cleaning up the stumps good and proper. And breathe. Brook flays away in the air for four! Uppish from Brook but England will take whatever scraps they can at this stage. A nurdle to leg off the final ball sees the junior partner keep the strike.
This is turning into an absolutely brutal night for England. Defeat won't mathematically eliminate them from the World Cup but it's hard to see a way back given the manner of this one
— Matt Roller (@mroller98) October 21, 2023
WICKET! Malan c de Kock b Jansen 6 (England 24-3)
Dawid Malan gets a thin edge to the keeper and has to go too! Jansen and Markram went up straightaway but de Kock wasn’t sure… a review shows the huge knick off Malan’s blade and he trudges off, cursing under his breath. Marco Jansen is on a World Cup hat-trick!
Shaping up to be an all-time stinker, this
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) October 21, 2023
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5th over: England 24-2 (Malan 6, Stokes 0) Stokes faces up to Ngidi. Angular, resplendently tapered strawberry blond beard protruding under his helmet. England need him to get his Enrique Iglesias/Bonnie Tyler on here. In truth he looks a bit rusty, wafting at a few wide deliveries and failing to connect. Ngidi keeps him honest with a maiden, just a leg bye off the over.
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WICKET! Root c Miller b Jansen 2 (England 23-2)
Root is gone! He can’t believe that he’s fallen into the leg-side trap that was set for him, tickling the final ball of Jansen’s over straight into the secure bread basket of David Miller on the 45. England lose two early wickets and now need a hero. Enter – Ben Stokes.
4th over: England 23-2 (Malan 6, Stokes 0)
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Our man on the ground in Mumbai is the marvellous Simon Burnton – have a gander at his World Cup Diary why dontcha?
WICKET! Bairstow c Van der Dussen b Ngidi 10 (England 18-1)
Bairstow clips Ngidi for four to the shorter leg-side boundary BUT he perishes next ball trying to repeat the shot! Huge wicket for South Africa, they are leaping with glee. Bairstow looked dangerous but he’s on his way - a full ball was there for the hitting but he mis-timed it and it went up and up into the inky Mumbai sky before falling into the hands of Van der Dussen on the boundary edge. Big blow for England.
Joe Root arrives at the crease, he was really struggling with cramp earlier, he clips for a single to get the legs pumping once more.
3rd over: England 20-1 (Malan 6, Root 1)
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2nd over: England 14-0 (Bairstow 6, Malan 6) The lissom limbed and Jonathan Rhys Meyers cheekboned Marco Jansen is going to share the new nut. Can he wreak havoc with the ball as well as the blade? He gets some swing, a full ball hits the pad and the batters scamper a single. Malan then gets underway with a nice clip for four behind square. A push for two into the covers by Malan, the ball racing across the Wankhede baize. Close! Malan swishes at a length ball and it hits his knee-roll – The SA players umm and ahh about a review and eventually send it upstairs – NOT OUT – the ball was sliding down leg.
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1st over: England 7-0 (Bairstow 6, Malan 0) Here comes Ngidi with the shiny new orb. Can England get off to a flier? It is three dots to begin with as the ball zips off the pitch under lights. Ayeeechi! Bairstow lines up a huge moose into the leg side but the ball beats bat and stumps by a gnats eyebrow. BOSH! Bairstow connects with that one! A leg side half volley is pumped away over square leg for SIX. A leg bye sees Jonny keep strike.
“Good afternoon James, I’m putting my head above the parapet and my neck on the block. If Johnny Bairstow gets his eye in I can see him belting 200+ on this pitch, which will mean an England win with several overs to spare.” I admire your confidence Kim Thonger! Still on for this at the moment…
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“Hi James”
Hello to you Nina!
"How’s Buttler’s captaincy looking under an hot and humid examination? Has he got a touch of the late Joe Root era indecisive/let games slip air around him? I’m watching the chase from behind the sofa, and it’s not even Halloween yet!”
Hmm – I think there are questions to be answered about choosing to chase - but hey - England have the batting line up to pull this off so I’m holding my tongue… for the time being at least. The pitch is flat and the boundaries are short. Here come the players!
I just don’t understand bowling first given the circumstances today.
— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) October 21, 2023
Searing heat, massive pressure, famously flat pitch, opponents who’ve recently wilted in a run chase…
Why give them the freedom to put a score on?
Thanks Tanya and hello everyone. That was pretty brutal for England towards the end, 143 runs smited by South Africa in the last ten overs and a whopping 84 in the last five, Marco Jansen and Heinrich Klaasen pummelling the stands, Buttler’s boys looked well and truly cooked as they left the field, physically spent. They need a record run chase here with their World Cup hopes dangling by a thread.
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A torrent of emails in my inbox towards the end, apologies that I haven’t been able to read/use them all. I think they can be best summed up by Paul Newcomb: “Oh dear,” he writes, “Looks like England are in the brown stuff.”
An England win is surely pie in the sky from here, even with their batting firepower, especially in such brutal conditions. The heat and humidity will drop – not sure about the pollution – but England have already spent 50 overs in the field. South Africa were astonishing – and, best of all, their bowlers have just spent the last three hours in air-conditioned comfort.
I’m going to pass you over now to James Wallace, who is refreshed and ready for Act 2 after spending the morning trailing up the M1. Bye!
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England need 400 to win!
50th over: South Africa 399-7 (Maharaj 1, Jansen 75) Very nicely done by the inexperienced Atkinson, two wickets in the final over – just a shame about the run river that floweth beforehand. England conceded 143 in the last ten as South Africa let fly in torrid conditions. Klaasen was magnificent, Jansen made sure England would pay for every tiny mistake.
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WICKET! Coetzee c sub (Livingstone) b Atkinson 3 (South Africa 398-7)
A cracking catch by Livingstone, diving in at the cover boundary.
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WICKET! Klaasen b Atkinson 109 (South Africa 394-6)
Klaasen shuffles across and loses his leg stump. An astonishing innings and the ground rises to him.
49th over: South Africa 394-5 (Klaasen 109, Jansen 74) Um. Let’s just say it was cruel of the director to show shots of Topley Snr in the crowd. 26 from the over. A flick for four from Klaasen off a low full toss to get things started. Then three scatter-gun sixes from the elegant Jansen, plus a drop from Curran running in from midwicket – on for god knows whom. Partnership of 151 in the blink of an eye.
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Fifty for Jansen!
48th over: South Africa 368-5 (Klaasen 105, Jansen 54): Jansen’s turn. Shin high full toss yelled for six, wide yorker shimmied through the offside for four, short ball pulled for six to reach fifty. Poor Atkinson. This is already the highest total of the World Cup. Relief for the last three balls which just go for four.
“I am less concerned about impact of humidity and more about the particle pollution,” writes Sujit A “In last couple of years Mumbai has become one of the most polluted cities in the world largely due to the heavy construction (and not vehicle smoke). The construction particle matter is even more dangerous than smoke.”
“ Even the pristine Wankhede is not immune. While the local populace and the local politicians clearly don’t seem to mind it much, surely the ICC must mandate masks for players to protect their health and wellbeing!”
I’m afraid I don’t know if masks are the answer (too difficult too breathe and exercise?), but they should set safe levels and not play if they are breached.
A hundred for Klassen!
47th over: South Africa 348-5 (Klaasen 104, Jansen 35) Klaasen is felled by a Wood bouncer, flat on the floor for a couple of minutes. But, somehow, he is back: reaches his hundred by flaying a low full toss for six and pulling a wide one from Wood for four. Hundred off 61 balls – an amazing battle against the elements. He went from 50 to 100 in 21 balls. Flicks four more from the last to make it 15 off Wood’s over, who currently has bowled seven for 76.
“Greetings from Austin, TX,” Hi Anu!
”Regarding conditions, they are unsuited rather than unsuitable for the visiting teams. Just stroll over to nearby Shivaji Park to watch aspiring lads playing all day every day.”
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46th over: South Africa 333-5 (Klaasen 90, Jansen 34) A waist high full toss from Willey is called no ball and slammed for six by Klaasen. A wide doesn’t help matters, Jansen flambes a short ball for six more. Not sure that dot ball to finish will blot out the rest of the over. Four to go
45th over: South Africa 315-5 (Klaasen 82, Jansen 26) Wood steams in. His tightest over. Just singles and a wide from it, until the giraffe-like Jansen carves him over extra cover for four. The South African support staff are out for Klaasen, who is all over the place, dropped his bat running between the wickets. They give him clean socks, ply him with powder laden water. The problem for Klaasen is that his protective equipment makes him particularly vulnerable to the heat – because at about 33-35C, when the air temperature is higher than the skin temperature, only sweat can stop the body heating up, and that ability is restricted by heavy clothing – plus high humidity.
44th over: South Africa 306-5 (Klaasen 81, Jansen 20) This is turning into who drops first. Topley’s eighth is slammed for 19: 4, 1, 4, 4, 6, 0. Both Jansen and Klaasen are down on their haunches by the end.
“Good afternoon Tanya.” Hello again Krishnamoorthy v.
“Sports bodies like ICC and FIFA have forsaken the players’ and spectators’ welfare long ago.”
43rd over: South Africa 275-5 (Klaasen 67, Jansen 15) Rahid’s final over. Klaasen smacks his first ball over midwicket and high into the stands. Another six runs from the over. Klaasen looks absolutely exhausted, drops to his knees, pulls his helmet off, sodden hair stuck to his forehead. Stint finished, Rashid trudges off the pitch for what he will be hoping is the final time, to be replaced by Livingstone.
Fifty for Klaasen1
42nd over: South Africa 275-5 (Klaasen 58, Jansen 12) Klaasen reaches fifty with a flashing blade, screaming Topley through cover for four, and goes up and over for four more next ball. Escapes to the non-striker’s end where he immediately crouches down and breathes heavily. I’ve gone on about the Hit for Six report before, but it really spells out the dangers to players, especially batters, in conditions of extreme humidity.
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41st over: South Africa 264-5 (Klaasen 48, Jansen 11) Rashid’s ninth over, a reverse-sweep by Jansen well picked up by Topley. A wild overthrow from Willey brings an extra run to Rashid’s mild disgust.
40th over: South Africa 255-5 (Klaasen 44, Jansen 7) Just a wide and a single from a quiet Atkinson over. Surely the quiet before the storm. A good ten over period for England: South Africa, who seemed primed for take off, scored just 64 from it, for the loss of two wickets.
39th over: South Africa 254-5 (Klaasen 44, Jansen 6) At some point, Rashid must have returned to the field, because here he is, presumably to polish off his remaining three overs. Just a clutch of singles from it.
Ian Sergeant sends thanks for the commentary link. “Weather forecast gloriously wrong here. Sky blue and cloudless. Gentle breeze taking the edge off it. Birthday girl dozing. Husband sipping an alcohol free beer whilst listening to the cricket hoping that the feed doesn’t switch to the football in five minutes.” Hope Liverpool hasn’t been washed away, Mersey was grey and rampant on my morning walk.
38th over: South Africa 249-5 (Klaasen 43, Jansen 3) According to my optimistic watching companion, England are going to win this by eight wickets. Just four off Atkinson’s over as England reapply the tourniquet.
37th over: South Africa 245-5 (Klaasen 41, Jansen 1) Topley has taken two in two overs since his return from the finger bashing.
Brook has now gone down on the rope and is being massaged around the hip. I’ve no idea if it is cramp, but I think the ICC need to think more carefully about the conditions that players have to play in/spectators watch in.
WICKET! Miller c Stokes b Topley 5 (South Africa 243-5)
Straight into the breadbasket at mid-off, and another for Topley.
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36th over: South Africa 239-4 (Klaasen 40, Miller 1) Klaasen edges four behind and immediately Willey goes down with cramp in his calf. Hobbles off with the physio – this heat and humidity is brutal for the players.
“Thanks so much for the radio link,” taps Ian Copestake, “ I can confirm that the pain can now be listened to in Germany.”
35th over: South Africa 233-4 (Klaasen 35, Miller 0) Most excellently done by Topley, two fingers on his left hand bound together with fabric and hope. Starts with a wide, but finishes with the dismissal of the dangerous Markram.
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WICKET! Markram c Bairstow b Topley 42 (South Africa 233-4)
Super catch on the rope by Bairstow, who hovers, catches, then slips, legs rotating, cartoon style, to retain his position in front of the boundary. Topley makes the breakthrough on his return!
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34th over: South Africa 227-3 (Markram 40, Klaasen 32) A tidy over by Willey.
“Morning Tanya,” Hello Simon McMahon! “I’m claiming some reflected glory up here from the performance of The Netherlands against South Africa last week, and their fight back against Sri Lanka today. Remember, they only just qualified ahead of Scotland on NRR after Bas de Leede’s remarkable late onslaught against the Scots in the qualifiers. You’ve got to take the positives where you can, right? England can chase 380 here, no problem…” I’d have backed old England to chase anything – you just wonder if this tournament they are suddenly plagued by what hits the rest of us – vacillation.
33rd over: South Africa 222-3 (Markram 38, Klaasen 30) After another drinks break, and another look at the shimmering Arabian sea, Mark Wood resumes. Markram turns the first ball off his hip for four, Klaasen matches him with a swing into the deep and over the rope– its been an expensive morning for Wood – five overs for 53.
I wonder if these two teams will stay up together to watch the ruby this evening.
32nd over: South Africa 208-3 (Markram 33, Klaasen 21) Willey returns and starts with a wide. Another follows to spoil a fairly miserly over. It’s difficult to tell from the television, but Jonathan Agnew says the ground is now practically full.
Talking of radio commentary, David Williams has good news for those in France, and possibly elsewhere.
“While the BBC stream doesn’t work in France, the Radio Australia stream does!!
Don’t ask me why...”
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31st over: South Africa 201-3 (Markram 31, Klaasen 19) Markram shellacks Wood to cover where Malan puts his hands up to protect from decapitation. In theory a chance, I think; in reality, self preservation. Next ball, Klaasen leans into a drive which skims like an unspooling cotton over the rope.
30th over: South Africa 192-3 (Markram 28, Klaasen 13) Just three from the ailing Rashid’s over – with 20 overs left, South Africa have a chunky platform.
28th over: South Africa 189-3 (Markram 26, Klaasen 12) Markram puts his foot on the accelerator, an off-drive for four, then a one-legged flick over mid on. Atkinson’s inexperience being tested.
Kevin Wilson’s mood flies off the QWERTY keys “This is shaping up to be the worst defence of a worst defence of a world cup since France went to South Korea and Japan in 2002. Terrible selection, worse performances. The fact that Root may have to bowl ten overs, more or less, is humiliating.” Hold that fuming for now Kevin, you know England are slow starters and excellent at last gasp resurrection.
28th over: South Africa 178-3 (Markram 15, Klaasen 12) Klaasen breaks a string of singles from Rashid with a delicate reverse-sweep for four. On the boundary rope, Topley takes his frustrations out on a medicine ball.
27th over: South Africa 170-3 (Markram 13, Klaasen 6) Atkinson, pink cheeked, runs in. Klaasen picks up his first boundary with a snazzy cover drive. Buttler is persuaded to review for a caught behind by Root as Markram has a flap above his head at a bouncer. Atkinson has no interest at all but – maybe it is hard to tell with the noise of the crowd… No, not a touch on it. England lose a review.
“We can all see that Adil Rashid isn’t too well, but this is superb stuff when his side need it,” writes Gary Naylor. “It’s too easy to forget just how much of a competitor he is - different style to Ben Stokes, but the same spirit.”
26th over: South Africa 165-3 (Markram 13, Klaasen 0) A crucial breakthrough by Rashid and the end of a fabulous innings by last-minute substitute Hendricks.
We look through a glass darkly and see Topley having his finger bandaged. In the shadows, someone gives him a consoling pat on the back and he makes his way down to the boundary edge to see if he can bowl.
WICKET! Hendricks b Rashid 85 (South Africa 164-3)
Rashid! Whips out the googly, Hendricks pushes at it and is distraught to play on.
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25th over: South Africa 163-2 (Hendricks 85, Markram 12)Root is pulled off after 6.1 overs for 48. A super over from Atkinson, just a couple from it.
Tell you what, that tummy bug for Temba hasn't worked out too badly for South Africa...
— Lawrence Booth (@BoothCricket) October 21, 2023
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24th over: South Africa 161-2 (Hendricks 84, Markram 11) Score predictor now up to 350 plus. Rashid asserts some calm, but still five singles off the over. He looks tired, both hands on his hips as he hands the ball to the umpire, sweat balling on his forehead.
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23rd over: South Africa 156-2 (Hendricks 81, Markram 9) Root tosses one up, and wide, and Hendricks clobbers it over extra cover for six, veins bulging in his right arm. And again, with an even better pick up, front foot slam and fire.
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22nd over: South Africa 140-2 (Hendricks 66, Markram 8) Hendricks hits, scythes, with the spin, over extra cover for four. Rashid hits back with two dots. A kite swoops over Marine Drive.
21st over: South Africa 134-2 ( Hendricks 61, Markram 7) Markram quickly into his work with a brisk late-cut for four off Root.
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20th over: South Africa 126-2 ( Hendricks 59, Markram 1) Rashid with the breakthrough! Much needed by England, extremely well-judged by Bairstow, it was a long wait while it fell to earth.
WICKET! van der Dussen c Bairstow b Rashid 60 (South Africa 125-2)
Goes for a slog-sweep, but straight in the air, well caught at midwicket by Bairstow, staring into the sun, straight into those giant paws.
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19th over: South Africa 123-1 (van der Dussen 59, Hendricks 58) Six singles off Root. Pitch side, Moeen and Livingstone are engaged in earnest conversation.
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18th over: South Africa 116-1 (van der Dussen 56, Hendricks 55) Adil Rashid appears, well enough to bowl, blue napkin in his waistband. VDD whips him to the midwicket boundary, and Hendricks does similar to uncharacteristically short hit-me ball..Ten from the over. Predicted score: 320, but this is a very high-scoring ground.
In the other game, Sri Lanka are 51-1 from 9.1 overs, chasing 262 against the Netherlands.
Fifties for van der Dussen and Hendricks
17th over: South Africa 107-1 (van der Dussen 51, Hendricks 50) Super fifties by both, revving up South Africa’s reply after a stodgy start. Root, temporarily at least, stops the boundary charge.
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16th over: South Africa 104-1 (van der Dussen 49, Hendricks 49) Wood returns after the break, as we get a gorgeous overhead view of Marine Drive, and also some spectators standing on top of a nearby hotel roof with dubious safely protections. Easy-breezy: Van der Dussen off-drives a full ball from Wood for four, only to be upstaged by his partner who straight drives a Wood cutter for six.
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15th over: South Africa 91-1 (van der Dussen 43, Hendricks 42) VDD plays a dinky glance behind, which runs just out of reach all the way to the rope. Four easy singles, and they take DRINKS, with South Africa cleverly on top.
“God you have to feel for Reece Topley,” writes Guy Hornsby. “He really does seem to have no luck. And while Willey presents a different sort of seam option, Topley is such a difference with height and bounce. You really hope it’s just a bang that’ll recover with a spray. 6 overs of Root will not be ideal. I can see why we made changes but so far it’s not really worked out , has it? Long way to go etc etc, eh. “
Eh indeed. Sending Topley much luck with the magic spray.
14th over: South Africa 83-1 (van der Dussen 37, Hendricks 40) Hendricks overtakes van der Dussen with a whip through midwicket for four, he then pulls Wood just inches short of the waiting Harry Brook. The heat is relentless, and it shows.
13th over: South Africa 76-1 (van der Dussen 36, Hendricks 34) Buttler turns to Root, don’t know if that is because he has to, or he wants to. Six easy singles from it. I don’t think Stokes can bowl here, so Root is going to be doing most of the extra work if Topley is ruled out. Not sure if Rashid is currently on the field or not with what seems to be a tummy bug.
Gary Naylor is in formidable Saturday morning mood. “Gus Atkinsin is playing his sixth List A match today. Can I be alone in wanting England, once they’re out, to get hammered in every match to force the ECB’s hand on its uniquely absurd domestic programme? In fact, I’m half-minded to delete that caveat altogether.”
12th over: South Africa 70-1 (van der Dussen 33, Hendricks 31) We get today’s first glimpse of Mark Wood. Screamingly fast, but South Africa have him in their sights, van der Dussen clips a beautifully balanced four in his lime green boots Hendricks hooks him – kerpow - for four.
11th over: South Africa 60-1 (van der Dussen 28, Hendricks 26) Atkinson reasserts some control – just one from the over, and that a single scampered on the overthrow, which is prevented from going for four by a good bit of relay fielding between Willey and Rashid (I think).
My old friend Tim de Lisle sends me a super stat: Before Topley’s injury 6.3 overs 20-1 at 3 an over; Since 3 overs 38-0 at 12 an over.
10th over: South Africa 59-1 (van der Dussen 28, Hendricks 25) David Willey looks hot and bothered, as Hendricks takes him for two successive fours, one a glance behind, the other a screaming high heels and dangly earrings drive through the covers.
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9th over: South Africa 49-1 (van der Dussen 27, Hendricks 16) Atkinson is on, for his first World Cup game. Hendricks steps and drills him for four, past the giant Atkinson’s outstretched hand, over the deftly ducking umpire. And again, a funky pull him past midwicket. In the fourteen balls since Topley’s injury, there have been six fours.
“Is there any chance you could ask someone to ask someone to turn the ridiculous PA volume down a little please? I like your confidence in me David Newbould, but I can’t even get everyone to put their breakfast bowls in the dishwasher.
8th over: South Africa 39-1 (van der Dussen 27, Hendricks 6) We watch tv pictures as Topley gives the stairs a furious kick as he trudges up them back to the dressing room. He’s been so unlucky with injuries, poor chap. van der Dussen meanwhile, is just starting to open up, pulling Willey fine for four, then another short one pulled up, up and away.
”Greetings from the hotel falesia beach in Portugal.” Hello Ian Sargeant!
“Looking forward to a lazy morning by the pool keeping up with the cricket. It’s also my wife’s birthday (happy birthday Sarah) .
“Are there any links to the overseas TMS commentary which I can surreptitiously listen to whilst tending to her every wish?”
Can anyone help? And a very happy birthday to Sarah.
7th over: South Africa 29-1 (van der Dussen 17, Hendricks 6) Dawid Malan’s looping dive at cover prevents a four, next ball Topley topples over in his follow through, and hurts his left hand half-stopping a drive from van der Dussen. Van der Dussen pings the next for four through the covers– on comms, Steven Finn explains how sensation is so important in bowling. The physio comes out and does some uncomfortable looking squeezing. But the next ball goes for four too and Topley walks off the field. Root finishes the over. Trouble for England.
“
”Just as de Kock nicked that one, a pigeon flew into the glass door leading to the garden,” writes Kim Thonger. “I’m sad to report it is no more, it has ceased to be, indeed it’s gone to meet its maker. But what does this portend? A South African capitulation? And does anyone in Rutland want a pigeon for a Sunday pie?”
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6th over: South Africa 18-1 (van der Dussen 6, Hendricks 6) South Africa reined in both by Willey’s control and the early loss of de Kock. They are almost jittery, resorting to a quick and borderline dangerous single off the last ball.
5th over: South Africa 16-1 (van der Dussen 5, Hendricks 5) A nice slide and stop by Mark Wood prevents a boundary, Adil Rashid returns to the field after an “extended comfort break” . And many thanks to all those who have pointed out that the British national anthem is in fact God Save the King.
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4th over: South Africa 12-1 (van der Dussen 2, Hendricks 4) Willey again, shirt characteristically untucked, heavy tred to the crease. South Africa’s rebuild a pedestrican effort – until Hendricks picks up a much-needed boundary, off the mark to his 14th ball with a square drive.
3rd over: South Africa 7-1 (van der Dussen 1, Hendricks 0) England applying the squeeze – just one from the giant Topley’s over.
“Morning,” writes Tom Vd Gucht.
“I’ve never been 100% convinced about Willey’s ability at the highest level. Yet, I love his scrappy determination and feel for him in the way he seems to always make room for players who seem to have more stardust about them at the last minute. In many ways, I’d love him to prove me wrong and grasp his chance on the biggest stage “
Me too. The guy must have always been the best at sport at every step of his life, yet once he pulls on England colours he suddenly finds himself dispensable.
2nd over: South Africa 5-1 (van der Dussen 0, Hendricks 0) England will be hoping that Willey and Topley can control the power play, in a way that Curran and Woakes haven’t quite been able too. And Willey does just that, with a wipe back of his action man blond hair, sends down a maiden.
1st over: South Africa 5-1 (van der Dussen 0, Hendricks 0) Great over by Topley, a wicket, some swing and keeping the ball pitched up after being driven for four first ball. Just what the Buttler ordered.
WICKET! de Kock c Buttler b Topley 4 (South Africa 4-1)
de Kock goes second ball! He squeezed the first for four and went after the second in the same way, but a flashing drive gets only an edge. The umpire says not out, de Kock looks guilty, and England review immediately.
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While they faff about in the middle, a little plug for Burley in Wharfedale CC, where Harry Brook learnt his cricket, who are fundraising to build new nets and mend the roof.
The national anthems. A jaunty Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika sung by the South Africans, arms round each others shoulders. And a mercifully short and sweet God Save the King. Seems a bit cruel that Adil Rashid has to stand next to Reece Topley. Here we go!
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It’s going to be difficult for the players today. It is very hot in Mumbai with the mercury hitting 35 degrees, and air pollution recorded as “very unhealthy” early this morning. The current air quality is 185 AQI
“Health effects will be immediately felt by sensitive groups and should avoid outdoor activity. Healthy individuals are likely to experience difficulty breathing and throat irritation; consider staying indoors and rescheduling outdoor activities.”
Three changes for England – Ian Ward ponders whether that it is sign of panic. I don’t think Jos Buttler does panic. David Willey at seven will set off alarms though if England lose early wickets.
South Africa XI
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Cetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
England XI
England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c, wk), David Willey, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Reece Topley.
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Aiden Markram stands in as South Africa’s captain as Temba Bavuma is ill. Reeza Hendricks comes in at the top of the order and that is the only change.
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England win the toss and will bowl!
“This is generally a good ground for chasing,” says a smiling Jos Buttler in royal blue. “We’re very forward facing, trying to impose ourselves on this game.” Three changes – Stokes, Willey and Atkinson in for Chris Woakes, Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone.
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Ian Ward and Kate Cross are in the middle with the microphones, the sun is out, the bottom tiers of each stands look pretty full. We wait for the toss.
Preamble
Good morning! The round robin stage of this tournament shuffles towards half way – this is the final fourth round match – with just another five rounds to go before the knock-out begins.
Today we’re in Mumbai, where England, buoyed by the return of Ben Stokes, take on South Africa in the big battle of the chasing pack. South Africa have two victories under their belt – thrashing Australia and Sri Lanka before slipping on the Netherlands banana skin, another win and they’d be clear of Pakistan and Australia in third. England, the holders, the mighty demigods, the big beasts, have only a victory against Bangladesh to show for their efforts, after coming a cropper to Afghanistan and New Zealand. With Australia thrashing Pakistan on Friday, they can’t afford to stall again.
Earlier this week, England white ball coach Matthew Mott said that getting off to a flyer “can be a bit of a curse,” but they need to beat South Africa unless they want to spend the next few weeks trudging hopelessly around India. He has promised only “minor tweaks” so expect Stokes to return for either Brook or Livingstone and Chris Woakes, who has looked out of sorts, to possibly return to the bench.
Play starts at 9.30 am, see you here for the toss.
