A Nightmare Start for England at Headingley
Eng. Vs SA : Sometimes cricket gives you shocks you don’t forget. England fans got one at Headingley, Leeds.
The first ODI of the South Africa tour in 2025 turned into a horror show for the hosts. England, packed with big hitters and fresh faces, were bundled out for 131 runs in just 24.3 overs. The South Africans didn’t just win. They absolutely smashed England with a 7-wicket victory and 175 balls to spare. It wasn’t just a loss. It was a wake-up call.
England’s Innings – From Hope to Collapse
At the start, things didn’t look too bad. England reached 82/2. A platform was being built. Fans thought maybe a 300-run target was on the cards. But cricket can flip in a heartbeat. South Africa’s bowlers turned the game into chaos. From 82/2, England crashed to 131 all out.
England Batting Card
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
| Phil Salt | 12 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 80.0 |
| Zak Crawley | 18 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 78.2 |
| Jamie Smith | 54 | 48 | 7 | 1 | 112.5 |
| Harry Brook | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 111.1 |
| Jos Buttler (c) | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 114.3 |
| Liam Livingstone | 7 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 70.0 |
| Sam Curran | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 83.3 |
| Rehan Ahmed | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 25.0 |
| Sonny Baker | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Jofra Archer | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 66.7 |
| Gus Atkinson | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.0 |
| Extras | 8 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 131 all out (24.3 overs) |
Jamie Smith – Lone Warrior
The only man who stood up was Jamie Smith with 54 off 48. Aggressive, brave, but isolated. Without him, England wouldn’t have even crossed 100.
South Africa’s Bowlers – Ruthless and Sharp
Credit where it’s due. South Africa’s bowlers didn’t let England breathe.
Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Kagiso Rabada | 5 | 28 | 0 | 5.60 |
| Marco Jansen | 5 | 26 | 1 | 5.20 |
| Wiaan Mulder | 6 | 33 | 3 | 5.50 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 7 | 22 | 4 | 3.14 |
| Gerald Coetzee | 1.3 | 13 | 2 | 8.67 |
Keshav Maharaj (4/22) was the destroyer.
Mulder (3/33) added the pressure.
South Africa’s Chase – Quick and Clinical
Chasing 131 can sometimes look tricky if you lose early wickets. But South Africa batted like they were in a net session.
South Africa Batting Card
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
| Aiden Markram | 86* | 55 | 12 | 3 | 156.4 |
| Ryan Rickelton | 31* | 44 | 4 | 0 | 70.4 |
| Tony de Zorzi | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 40.0 |
| Heinrich Klaasen | 7 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 87.5 |
| Tristan Stubbs | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.7 |
| Extras | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 132/3 (20.5 overs) |
Markram’s Record-Breaking Fifty
Captain Aiden Markram lit up Headingley. Fastest ODI fifty by a South African against England. Unbeaten 86 off 55 balls sealed the deal.
Key Stats Comparison
| Category | England | South Africa |
| Runs Scored | 131 all out | 132/3 |
| Overs Faced | 24.3 | 20.5 |
| Top Scorer | Jamie Smith (54) | Markram (86*) |
| Best Bowler | – | Maharaj (4/22) |
| Wickets Lost | 10 | 3 |
| Result | Lost by 7 wkts | Won by 7 wkts |
Why This Match Matters
- England – Big problems in batting depth and team balance.
- South Africa – Historic first ever ODI win at Headingley.
- Fans – A one-sided but unforgettable ODI.
Final Thoughts
England walked into Headingley hoping to set the tone for the series. Instead, they walked out humbled.
South Africa were ruthless. Maharaj’s spin strangled England. Markram’s batting crushed them.
The 1st ODI at Leeds was more than just a win. It was a statement. South Africa lead the series 1-0.
The big question: Can England bounce back at Lord’s? Or will South Africa take an unbeatable lead?
Cricket fans—buckle up. This series has just begun.
England vs South Africa ODI Series Tracker 2025
| Match | Date | Venue | Result | Series Status |
| 1st ODI | Sep 2, 2025 | Headingley, Leeds | South Africa won by 7 wickets | SA lead 1-0 |
| 2nd ODI | Sep 5, 2025 | Lord’s, London | TBD | – |
| 3rd ODI | Sep 7, 2025 | The Oval, London | TBD | – |
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Georgia Tech 27, Colorado 20: Haynes King Dominates in Season-Opening Thriller
The 2025 college football season couldn’t have opened with more drama.
In front of a buzzing crowd, Georgia Tech pulled off a thrilling 27-20 victory over Colorado to kick off the year. For the first ten minutes, though, it looked like this game belonged to the Buffaloes.
Colorado’s defense came out with fire, forcing three turnovers and smothering Georgia Tech’s offense. Deion Sanders’ team looked fast, physical, and ready to prove that Year 3 of the “Prime” era would be different.
But then reality hit. The run defense collapsed. And Georgia Tech found its rhythm behind quarterback Haynes King.
