England’s top order, renowned for scores over 300, was blown away in five astonishing overs at Lord’s by Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell. It was the quickest loss of the first six wickets in ODI history. Here’s how ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball commentary recorded the drama
This was a regular sight in the opening five overs © Getty Images
0.5 Rabada to Roy, OUT, got him, steered to slip! Amla holds on this time, low down as a thick edge lobbed off bat… Another single-figure score for Roy, who was drawn forward by a demanding line, the ball nibbling away down the Lord’s slope and sending England’s tub-thumping opener back to the changing rooms with a whimper
1.5 Parnell to Root, OUT, trapped in front! Parnell beats him past the inside edge, booming swing – and England are two down! Lovely shape on that delivery, which started outside off and curled back in as Root aimed a punch down the ground. No hesitation from Michael Gough and it looked pretty plumb
3.6 Parnell to Morgan, OUT, lovely bowling, Morgan gone! Parnell is enjoying the famously moribund juicy Lord’s surface, curving the ball away and kissing the outside edge, giving a simple catch to de Kock. Morgan’s brief sally is over and England are wheezing in North Weezy
4.1 Rabada to Hales, OUT, England continue to attack… and SA continue to capitalise! Pitched up in the channel, Hales drives and Amla this time tumbles to his left to snap up another catch. A second for Rabada and England are tottering like an MCC member after a day on the port. Somehow that was only Hales’ second ball… One he’ll quickly want to forget
4.5 Rabada to Buttler, OUT, throws the bat, thick edged to second… England are five down! Superb catch from Faf du Plessis, that went very quickly as Buttler attempted to thrash it through the covers. Not quite as quickly as England are subsiding, but still
4.6 Rabada to Rashid, OUT, edged and gone – THIS IS ABSURD!!! Rashid goes for a big, booming drive from his first ball, du Plessis scoops it up low to his left this time… and Rabada is on a hat-trick! Perhaps England are trying to get their shocker out of the way before the Champions Trophy, but this is golden-era awful from a country that knows a fair bit about being rubbish at ODIs
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo