England’s seasoned batting maestro Joe Root gave followers a lot to cheer about within the third ODI in opposition to South Africa at Southampton’s Rose Bowl on September 7, 2025. Not solely did he mild up the bottom with an excellent century, however he additionally reminded everybody why sport is as a lot about folks as it’s about numbers on a scoreboard.
Joe Root’s touching second as he palms over his gloves to a younger supporter
After reaching precisely 100 runs earlier than being dismissed, Root’s stroll again to the pavilion become a scene that touched hearts throughout the cricketing world. As he made his approach off the sector, he observed a younger fan eagerly making an attempt to get his consideration. Moderately than heading straight to the dressing room, Root paused, smiled, and handed over his batting gloves to the overjoyed teen.
The kid’s response—wide-eyed pleasure turning immediately into pure happiness—was captured on digicam and rapidly unfold throughout social media. Followers praised Root not just for his batting heroics however for exhibiting a facet of cricket that transcends the sport: respect, generosity, and reference to supporters.
Right here’s the video:
He’s a very good egg 🥰 pic.twitter.com/WMM5yTkXW4
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2025
Additionally READ: ENG vs SA: Followers erupt as Joe Root lights up The Rose Bowl with a blistering century within the third ODI
England’s dominant show in Southampton in opposition to South Africa
Whereas Root’s gesture made headlines off the pitch, England’s efficiency on it was nothing wanting spectacular. The hosts piled up an enormous 414 for five of their 50 overs—marking their highest ODI rating in opposition to South Africa and the fifth-biggest complete of their ODI historical past.
Root’s century laid the muse, however the highlight quickly turned to 21-year-old Jacob Bethell, who smashed his maiden worldwide hundred with an excellent 110 from 82 deliveries. His knock, mixed with Root’s expertise, produced a devastating 182-run partnership that left the South African bowlers with no solutions.
Jos Buttler’s explosive unbeaten 62 from 32 balls and Jamie Smith’s fast 62 off 48 ensured England completed with a flourish.
South Africa, nevertheless, crumbled in reply. Jofra Archer’s fiery spell of 4 for 18 and Adil Rashid’s 3 for 13 dismantled the guests, bowling them out for simply 72 runs in below 21 overs. England’s 342-run win was not solely emphatic but additionally etched historical past as the most important victory margin in males’s ODI cricket.
Although South Africa had already sealed the sequence 2-1 after victories within the first two matches, England’s commanding comeback despatched a powerful message forward of the T20I sequence beginning on September 10 in Cardiff.
Additionally READ: Followers react as England forestall whitewash with report 342-run victory in closing ODI; South Africa win sequence 2-1
