Joe Root hogged the limelight after he gave cricket lovers a day to remember in Southampton on September 7. During the third ODI against South Africa at the Rose Bowl, Root reminded everyone why he remains one of the most loved figures in modern cricket. His classy century was a delight for fans, but what happened after his dismissal turned into the story of the day.
Joe Root displayed a heartwarming gesture in the dead rubber and won the cricket fraternity’s hearts. The incident happened after he scored a century; he casually walked back towards the pavilion with the crowd rising to applaud his knock.
Joe Root makes a young fan’s day with a touching gesture
As soon as he passed the boundary rope, he noticed a young fan waving frantically. The fan was actually doing this to draw Root’s attention in the first place. Meanwhile, Joe Root stopped and smiled warmly before handing his batting gloves to the child.
He’s a good egg 🥰 pic.twitter.com/WMM5yTkXW4
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2025
The young fan’s face lit up instantly in the first place. Cameras captured the moment of raw emotions, and soon the video clip went viral on social media. Cricket often revolves around numbers, and there is no doubt about that. We often cheer when batters score runs and bowlers take wickets.
However, what Joe Root did after his hundred reminds us that the game is about people too. The veteran took some time to hand over his gloves, which surely changed the day for one young fan forever.
Moments like these are why players like Joe Root are admired well beyond their cricketing skills. It is no secret that fans invest their emotions in the game, and when a player acknowledges that, the bond grows stronger.
England show no mercy for the opponents in dead rubber
Apart from Joe Root’s off-field moment that grabbed headlines, he stole the show on the field with a brilliant century. They piled up a colossal 414/5 and recorded their highest-ever total against South Africa and the fifth-biggest score in their ODI history.
Root’s hundred provided the platform, but it was the rise of a new star that caught the eye. Twenty-one-year-old Jacob Bethell smashed his maiden international century, a dazzling 110 off 82 balls. Together, Root and Bethell shared a 182-run stand, mixing calm experience with fearless aggression.
As the innings progressed, Jos Buttler showed why he is still one of the most destructive finishers in world cricket. He scored an unbeaten 62 off just 32 balls. Jamie Smith too joined the party, striking a brisk 62 off 48. The packed Southampton crowd witnessed a batting exhibition that left South Africa searching for answers.
South Africa collapse under pressure
Chasing a mountain-like target, South Africa needed a miracle to stay competitive. But England’s bowlers ensured there was no such escape. Jofra Archer bowled with venom, rattling the opposition with pace and accuracy. His figures of 4 for 18 were a reminder of his match-winning abilities.
Adil Rashid’s guile did the rest. The leg-spinner bamboozled the South African middle order, finishing with 3 for 13. Within just 21 overs, South Africa were bundled out for 72. The margin of defeat (342 runs) was staggering and officially the biggest win in men’s ODI history.
Interestingly, despite the record-breaking victory, England could not win the series. South Africa had already sealed it 2-0 in the series with back-to-back wins. England lost the ODI series at home, but they made sure to give absolutely everything to demolish the Proteas in the last game.
England displayed sheer dominance in the game, which must be more than enough for them to gain confidence just ahead of the T20I series. The shortest version kick-starts on September 10 in Cardiff. The second T20I will kick off on September 12 at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. The third and final game will kick off on September 14 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
