England vs South Africa live: Result and final score as hosts fall just short in second ODI

After a hammering at Headingley, England couldn’t beat South Africa in a closer game at Lord’s

England's Ben Duckett and Joe Root in action as they run between the wickets (Action Images via Reuters)

South Africa's Matthew Breetzke became the first player to score half centuries in each of his first five ODI appearances to set up his side's gripping series-clinching five-run victory over England at Lord's on Thursday.

Breetzke scored 85 and shared in a 147-run fourth-wicket partnership with Tristan Stubbs as South Africa recovered from losing three quick wickets to post a formidable 330-8.

Tasked with pulling off a record ODI run chase at Lord's, England were still well in the game under the lights with Jos Buttler taking them to within range of victory.

But he was bowled by a magical slow ball from Lungi Ngidi for 61 and when Will Jacks was dismissed for 39, England's hopes of an improbable victory looked forlorn.

Some courageous late hitting by Jofra Archer, including two sixes, induced some South African jitters, but England ended on 325-9 to give the visitors an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

England vs South Africa live

• England face South Africa at Lord's in the second of three ODIs | Live on Sky Sports
• England win the toss and choose to bowl under cloudy skies in London
• Matthew Breetzke scores his fifth half century in five one-day internationals
• Tristian Stubbs brings up his 50 as South Africa turn the screw on England
• Wicket! Stubbs furious with teammate Brevis after being run out on 58 (South Africa 259-5)
• South Africa set England big total of 331 to win second ODI
• Bethell and Root bring up 50s to steady England
• Wicket! Root stumped after mis-judging Maharaj delivery (England 147-4)
• Wicket! Brook hooks to Bavuma in the covers (England 216-5)
• Jos Buttler lands a half-century to aid England's late run chase, but he falls for 61
• South Africa win by five runs after tense finale

[4 September 2025 22:18 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Unhandled: H1

Unhandled: H1

[4 September 2025 21:41 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Buttler's wicket killed England's chase

Shaun Pollock says the wicket of Jos Buttler, brilliantly slow bowled by Lungi Ngidi on 61, was the key moment of the run chase.

[4 September 2025 21:28 · Lawrence Ostlere]

South Africa win by five runs!

Archer can’t find the middle of the bat, and jogs a forlorn single. A good effort, but England fall just short of a record run chase at Lord’s.

[4 September 2025 21:27 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England need six for a super over

Archer finds four more!

[4 September 2025 21:26 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England need 11 runs from two balls

Archer can’t find the boundary, and refuses the single. Only sixes will do now...

[4 September 2025 21:26 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England need 11 runs from three balls

Archer reverse slogs for four! Surely he can’t...

[4 September 2025 21:25 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England need 15 runs from four balls

Archer swings and misses, good bowling by Muthusamy.

[4 September 2025 21:24 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England need 15 runs from five balls

Mahmood slaps a single, Archer on strike.

[4 September 2025 21:24 · Lawrence Ostlere]

England need 16 runs from six balls.

Archer tells Mahmood, “just don’t get out”, on the last ball of the penultimate over. Mahmood instead thrashes at it and it’s a single that keeps Mahmood on strike. Perhaps not the best tactic.

[4 September 2025 21:21 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Wicket! Adil Rashid run out Breetzke 2

Ah! Rashid is run out by a mile and England are nine down.

England require 18 from nine balls.