South Africa held their nerve in a dramatic match at Lord’s to seal a five-run win over England, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. Sent in to bat, the visitors made the most of good batting conditions, with Matthew Breetzke anchoring the innings with a fluent 85 off 78 balls. Tristan Stubbs chipped in with a valuable 58, pushing South Africa to an imposing total of 330 for eight. England’s hopes were kept alive by the return of Jofra Archer, who struck four times.

Breetzke also became the first player to score fifties in each of his first five innings.

Chasing a formidable target, England’s innings unfolded as a tense see-saw. Joe Root and captain Jos Buttler both registered 61, while young Jacob Bethell’s enterprising 58 injected late momentum. With wickets in hand, the hosts looked set for a late charge. But the momentum shifted when Lungi Ngidi removed Buttler in the 43rd over, and Nandre Burger ended Will Jack’s resistance soon after, nudging the required run-rate into steep territory. Jofra Archer’s late flurry meant England needed six off the last ball to tie. Senuran Muthusamy, showing steely composure, managed to conceded only a single to end the contest and spark South African celebrations.

This win, coming on the heels of a dominant seven-wicket victory in the first ODI, hands South Africa the series with a match to spare. For England, the defeat extends a worrying run of six straight bilateral ODI losses, prompting fresh questions about depth and direction. The final game in Southampton now offers only consolation for the home side, while the Proteas can savour a job expertly finished.