Jofra Archer produced an all-round performance that saw him hit the landmark of 150 international wickets for England during a five-run loss in the second game of the three-match ENG vs SA ODI series on Thursday.
Archer, who was Rajasthan Royals’ joint highest wicket-taker in IPL 2025 with 11 scalps, was the leading wicket-taker in the match, registering figures of 4/62 from 10 overs in a high-scoring encounter.
You miss, he hits, four times 🔥👌 pic.twitter.com/fCjtuclI20
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) September 4, 2025
After winning the toss and opting to field first at Lord’s, South Africa made a solid start before Jofra Archer broke a 73-run stand for the opening wicket by dismissing Ryan Rickelton at the start of the 14th over.
The English pacer then broke a 147-run stand for the fourth wicket by getting the wicket of Matthew Breetzke in the 40th over.
His final two wickets came in the last over of South Africa's innings when he trapped Senuran Muthusamy before the stumps and bowled Keshav Maharaj off the final ball.
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Archer, who was also involved with Will Jacks in effecting the run-out of a well-set Tristan Stubbs in the 42nd over, helped England limit South Africa to 338/9.
The Englishman’s figures of 4/62 are his second-best in ODIs. His best ODI figures of 6/40 also came against South Africa during a bilateral series in 2023.
The four scalps on Thursday helped Archer hit the landmark of 150 wickets in international cricket, comprising 58 in ODIs, 51 in Tests and 41 in T20Is.
Apart from his bowling and fielding exploits, the 30-year-old cricketer also made his presence felt with the bat.
Entering the crease with the score on 288/7 and England needing 43 off 23 balls, Jofra Archer took the onus upon himself by hitting two fours as well as two sixes and took the game deep, getting within touching distance of a Super Over.
However, the Englishman managed just one run off the final delivery of the match as he finished on an unbeaten 14-ball 27.
Meanwhile, Nandre Burger, who was also a part of the Royals set-up in IPL 2025, finished with figures of 3/63 for South Africa.
After dismissing Jamie Smith off the first ball, he took an important wicket of England’s last recognised batter Will Jacks and Brydon Carse.
The final match of the three-game series between England and South Africa will take place on Sunday. The Proteas have already sealed the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead.
