England vs South Africa: Southampton witnesses first-ever 400-plus score in ODIs after Jacob Bethell, Joe Root centuries

It was deja vu for South Africa in the final ODI of the three-match series against England at Southampton on Sunday (September 7). Last month, they had pocketed the ODI series in Australia with a game to go and were taken to the cleaners in the final ODI, where they conceded 431. The story was similar at Southampton as England's batters took them to 414 in the technically dead rubber of the series, through centuries from Jacob Bethell and Joe Root. It is the highest ODI total ever recorded at Southampton and the first time the venue got to see 400-plus breached at the ground.

The foundation was set by the 182-run stand for the third wicket between Bethell (110 off 82) and Root (100 off 96), with the former continuing his devastating form from Lord's to get his first international hundred. Root, who had also gotten a fifty last game, once again looked in prime form and cashed in to register his 24th ODI ton. The pair ensured that the early momentum provided by Jamie Smith's 48-ball 62 didn't go in vain. The wicket-keeper batter was in top gear from the outset and looked set for a hundred himself, before falling against the run of play. Smith's quickfire start with Ben Duckett set the tone for England's innings that never had a dip in scoring rate at any point.

Bethell was fortunate to be dropped a couple of times while Root also had a nervy moment or two but largely, their partnership was flawless for most parts. Once they were done with their contributions, Jos Buttler gave the perfect finishing act to the innings with an intimidating knock of 62 from just 32 balls. The former captain brought out a lot of his trademark scoops and cross-batted swipes, to ensure that the 400-mark was breached. It is the second time in four games that South Africa's bowlers have conceded 400-plus and while the two series wins does give huge boost to their morale, the bowling does have issues to work on.

Brief scores: England 414/5 in 50 overs (Jacob Bethell 110, Joe Root 100, Jos Buttler 62*, Jamie Smith 62)