England vs South Africa 1st ODI highlights from Headingley turned into something no one quite expected. What looked like a fresh start for a new-look England side ended in a ruthless dismantling by a sharp and clinical South African team. In just 272 balls—the entire match was done. England bowled out for a shocking 131, South Africa chased it down like they were on a lunch break.

Related Match：ENG vs SA 2025 1st ODI – First clash since the ICC World Cup

2025 England vs South Africa 1st ODI Highlights

Things actually began with a touch of optimism. Jamie Smith hit back-to-back boundaries in the opening over, and Joe Root looked silky with a classic drive that had vintage written all over it. For a brief moment, it felt like England might settle in for a competitive total. But then… Duckett chased a wide one. Root edged behind. Harry Brook called for a suicidal second run and was run out for just 12. The top order, looking decent, was suddenly gone. Still, Smith looked composed, cruising to 54 off 48 balls, his second ODI fifty in a row, and had the crowd hopeful again.

First ball…

Perfect cover drive 👌

And holds the pose! 😍

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #ENGvSA 🇿🇦 | @Root66 pic.twitter.com/ql8AGtB6fT

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 2, 2025

Then came the real trouble. Wiaan Mulder removed Smith with a peach that was well caught on the boundary, and from there it was a parade. Keshav Maharaj spun a web in the middle overs, ending with 4/22, including two textbook dismissals: Will Jacks caught and bowled, and Adil Rashid trapped plumb in front. Mulder chipped in with 3/33, and before you knew it, England had lost 7 wickets for just 29 runs.
From 102 for 3 to 131 all out in 24.3 overs.

There wasn’t much resistance from the lower order. Jofra Archer nicked off, debutant Sonny Baker had his stumps rearranged, and Buttler’s feet were so stuck he might as well have been batting in concrete. It wasn’t fearless cricket; it was flat, fatigued, and frankly, forgettable.

Markram the Marauder：SA Fastest Fifty Against England

Now for the part that’ll be playing on highlight reels for weeks: Aiden Markram. If England’s innings was a slow collapse, Markram’s was an instant detonation. He came out swinging like he’d been given a five-over limit and made sure everyone at Headingley took notice.

He brought up his fifty in just 23 balls, setting the record for the fastest half-century by a South African batter against England. He also now holds the record for the quickest ODI fifty by a South African opener. In short, he made history while making mincemeat of the English attack. Markram finished on 86 off 55 balls, smashing 13 boundaries and two sixes with a calmness that was almost insulting. It wasn’t just raw aggression—it was calculated, precise, and classy. He made Sonny Baker his personal highlight reel, taking 20 off a single over and consistently picking the gaps like he had cheat codes.

A brisk half-century! ⚡️

Controlled, powerful, and simply magnificent. What a knock from Aiden Markram! 🇿🇦🏏#WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/8XRRytNri2

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) September 2, 2025

Though he didn’t get the century he deserved, caught in the deep with just 11 runs left, he’d already done more than enough. Without him, this chase might’ve taken longer. With him, it looked like a T20 warm-up.That’s three mentions now, because yes, Aiden Markram was that good in the England vs South Africa 1st ODI highlights.

Baker’s Nightmare Debut

While Markram was stealing the show, one man was stuck in a horror movie: Sonny Baker. Making his England debut, the young pacer was handed the new ball and a golden opportunity. What he got in return was a brutal introduction to international cricket. Markram greeted him with three boundaries in the first over. In the second? Two sixes. Baker’s radar was off, his lines were wide, and when he overcorrected, Markram pounced again. By the end of his fourth over, he’d already gone for 56 runs.

A tough afternoon for the debutant. #BBCCricket #ENGvSA pic.twitter.com/L42AsvnlMH

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) September 2, 2025

His final figures: 7 overs, 0 wickets, 76 runs, the most expensive debut in England ODI history. It wasn’t just rough but record-breakingly rough. His name now sits atop a list no fast bowler wants to be on.

England Bowlers’ Most Runs Conceded on ODI Debut

To his credit, he came back later for a tidy over, but by then, the damage was done. England had little to defend, and Baker had already been on the receiving end of a Markram masterclass. You’ve now seen his name three times too: Sonny Baker was the unwanted headline in the England vs South Africa 1st ODI highlights.

The Bigger Picture

South Africa looked like a team on a mission. Ruthless with the ball, razor-sharp in the field, and explosive with the bat. England, meanwhile, looked undercooked, underprepared, and uncertain. With players rolling in straight from The Hundred, there wasn’t much cohesion, and it showed.

Defeat in Leeds.

South Africa win the series opener by 7-wickets 🏏

Match Centre: https://t.co/6abVvpHvgV pic.twitter.com/ylYeqhhfwd

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 2, 2025

Markram’s fireworks and Maharaj’s magic were the standout acts, but the bigger takeaway is this: South Africa are shaping up for 2027, and England look like they’re still figuring out who’s playing next week. There’s time to bounce back, it’s only 1–0 in the series, but this loss wasn’t just a defeat. It was a wake-up call. And if England don’t answer it soon, this could turn into a long, painful series.