Kagiso Rabada took 4-39 to set the Proteas up for an important win against England at Lord’s.

South Africa went into the third ODI against England with a point to prove. Their poor bowling and fielding contributed to losses in Leeds and Southampton, and ultimately to a series defeat. After winning the toss at Lord’s, Proteas skipper AB de Villiers stressed the importance of an improved performance in the buildup to the Champions Trophy.

Rabada obviously took the words of his captain to heart. He and Parnell ripped through the England top order. After five overs, the hosts were reeling at 20-6.

Rabada did the bulk of the damage during that game-defining opening spell. The South African persisted with a full length, and managed to get the ball to swing away from the England batsmen. Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Jos Buttler, and Adil Rashid were all beaten by the pace and movement.

That penetrative performance in the initial overs put South Africa in a strong position. England were eventually dismissed for 153 inside 32 overs, and the visitors went on to claim a comfortable win.

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