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ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023: Defending Champions England Suffer A Record Defeat Against South Africa

South Africa beat the defending champions England by 229 runs, it was the record Cricket World Cup defeat for a defending champion team.

Sandipan Ghosh
Last updated: 23.10.2023
England vs South Africa Cricket World Cup 2023

After scoring 399 runs against the defending champions England, South Africa claimed a giant victory at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. It was the record-margin Cricket World Cup defeat for a defending champion team.

It was the 20th game at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, where Wankhede Stadium hosted the South Africa vs England day/night match. After England chose to field first, South Africa scored 399/7 in 50 overs. Later, England were bundled out for only 170 runs (22 overs) as the Proteas won the match by 229 runs.


South Africa set up the highest ODI total against England


In the South African innings, while the opener Reeza Hendricks scored 85 off 75 balls (nine fours and three sixes) on his ODI World Cup debut, Rassie van der Dussen scored crucial 60 runs in 61 balls (eight fours).

While the stand-in skipper Aiden Markram scored 42 off 44 balls (four fours), Heinrich Klaasen scored fiery 109 runs in just 67 balls with the help of 12 fours and four sixes. Also, Marco Jansen fired up with 75 not out in 42 balls with the help of three fours and six sixes.

South Africa’s 399/7 was the highest ODI total against England (Check List 1). The previous record was 398/5 by New Zealand (at The Oval on June 12, 2015).

In reply, England were once struggling at 100/8. While Gus Atkinson (35) and Mark Wood (43*) had a 70-run partnership for the ninth wicket, the only two English batters with 20+ scores, injured Reece Topley didn’t come to bat.


South Africa’s record-margin win in the Cricket World Cup history


While South Africa won the match by 229 runs, it was the second-largest Cricket World Cup win (by runs) for a team against a Test-playing member (Check List 2). The record is South Africa’s 257-run victory against West Indies in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. It was also the joint seventh-largest winning margin in the Cricket World Cup history.

However, England’s 229-run defeat was the record-margin Cricket World Cup defeat for any defending champions (Check List 3). The previous record was Sri Lanka’s 159-run defeat against India in the ICC World Cup 1999.


Highest ODI totals vs England (List 1)


Team

Total (Overs)

Venue

Date

South Africa

399/7 (50)

Wankhede

October 21, 2023

New Zealand

398/5 (50)

The Oval

June 12, 2015

West Indies

389 (48)

St George’s

February 27, 2019

India

387/5 (50)

Rajkot

November 14, 2008

India

381/6 (50)

Cuttack

January 19, 2017

(Updated until October 21, 2023)


Largest victory margins against Test members in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup (List 2)


Team

Winning margin

Opposition

Venue

Date

South Africa

257 runs

West Indies

Sydney

February 27, 2015

South Africa

229 runs

England

Wankhede

October 21, 2023

Australia

215 runs

New Zealand

St George’s

April 20, 2007

South Africa

206 runs

Bangladesh

Mirpur

March 19, 2011

England

202 runs

India

Lord’s

June 7, 1975

(Updated until October 21, 2023)


Largest victory margins against defending champions in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup (List 3)


Team

Winning margin

Opposition

Venue

Date

South Africa

229 runs

England

Wankhede

October 21, 2023

India

159 runs

Sri Lanka

Taunton

May 26, 1999

Australia

95 runs

India

Sydney

March 26, 2015

South Africa

89 runs

Sri Lanka

Northampton

May 19, 1999

Afghanistan

69 runs

England

Delhi

October 15, 2023

(Updated until October 21, 2023)


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