Proteas crash to record 342-run defeat

THE Proteas have become the masters of falling prey to the dead-rubber ODI syndrome.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

Sunday’s world record ODI defeat by 342 runs, in which they were 18/5 at one stage, before being routed for 72 by England at Southampton’s Rose Bowl follows on directly from their last dead-rubber in Australia just over a fortnight ago.

Having won the first two matches of the series Down Under to clinch the trophy, they slumped to a 278-run defeat in Cairns.

They have now eclipsed that performance with an even more pitiful one here a mere 48 hours after clinching, in some style too, only their second ever ODI series victory in England.

But as clinical and efficient they were at Leeds and London, it was matched by their woefulness on England’s south coast.

All three facets of their game were left in the Lord’s dressingroom.

The bowling was ill-disciplined, conceding 19 wides, pushing the extras total to 27.