The second ODI of the ongoing three-match series between England and South Africa is set to take place on Thursday, September 4, at the historic Lord’s in London. After South Africa’s convincing win in the series opener at Headingley, the visitors will look to carry forward their momentum and seal the series. Meanwhile, England will be desperate to bounce back at home and keep the series alive.
Series Overview
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South Africa currently lead the series 1-0 after outclassing England in the first ODI by seven wickets.
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England struggled with the bat in the opener, getting bundled out for just 131 runs, a total far below par on a batting-friendly surface.
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The Proteas bowlers dominated, with Keshav Maharaj and pacers exploiting conditions perfectly before the batting unit comfortably chased the target.
Match Details
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Match: England vs South Africa, 2nd ODI, South Africa tour of England 2025
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Venue: Lord’s, London
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Date & Time: Thursday, September 4, 5:30 PM (IST)
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Broadcast & Streaming: SonyLIV (app & website), FanCode (app & website)
Pitch Report – Lord’s, London
The surface at Lord’s traditionally offers good pace and bounce early on, favoring batters who can play with soft hands and time the ball late. As the game progresses, both seamers and spinners can find some movement and grip. Batting becomes more challenging in the middle overs, making partnerships crucial. Teams winning the toss may prefer to bat first, put runs on the board, and let the bowlers exploit the conditions under lights.
Head-to-Head Record in ODIs
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Matches Played: 72
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England Wins: 30
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South Africa Wins: 36
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No Result: 5
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Tied: 1
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First ODI Meeting: March 12, 1992
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Most Recent Match: September 2, 2025 (South Africa won by 7 wickets)
South Africa currently enjoy a slight edge historically and will be looking to extend their dominance.
Probable Playing XIs
England (Probable XI):
Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Sonny Baker
South Africa (Probable XI):
Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi
Key Players to Watch
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Harry Brook (England, Batter):
England captain Harry Brook is expected to play a decisive role at Lord’s. After a failure in the first ODI, Brook will be keen to anchor the innings and inspire a strong comeback for his side. His ability to stabilize and accelerate makes him a crucial figure in England’s batting lineup. -
Keshav Maharaj (South Africa, Bowler):
The left-arm spinner was the standout in the first ODI, dismantling England’s middle order with control and accuracy. His variations and ability to restrict runs make him South Africa’s trump card again, especially in the middle overs at Lord’s.
Probable Match Scenarios
Scenario 1: England bat first
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Powerplay score: 55–65
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Total: 280–290
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Likely result: England win the match
Scenario 2: South Africa bat first
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Powerplay score: 50–60
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Total: 275–285
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Likely result: South Africa win the match
Match Prediction
This clash at Lord’s is expected to be a tightly contested battle. England will come out with renewed intent, but South Africa have the momentum and confidence on their side. Much will depend on the toss, as batting first and putting a competitive score could be the key.
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If England bat first, they have a strong chance of leveling the series.
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If South Africa bat first, their balanced attack and in-form batters could seal the series 2-0.
Prediction: The team batting first is more likely to win this match.