England's ace batter Joe Root displayed a brilliant gesture, gifting his gloves to a young fan, leaving him in awe during the third ODI against South Africa at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Sunday. The right-handed batter gave his gloves to a fan as he was walking back to the changing room following his glorious hundred in Southampton.
Root, who had a fantastic time in the Test series against India, has translated his good form. The Yorkshire batter made scores of 14 and 61 in the first two games, followed by making 100 off 96 deliveries, laced with six boundaries in the dead-rubber game. It was also the 19th ODI hundred for the former England Test captain.
Watch the young fan's reaction:
Joe Root and Jacob Bethell smash hundreds as England set South Africa an improbable 415 for victory in Southampton
After South African captain Temba Bavuma opted to bowl first, Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett offered the hosts a splendid start. The pair raced to a 59-run stand only in 8.3 overs, with Duckett being the first to depart after making 31 off 33 deliveries. Smith, meanwhile, clobbered 62 off only 48 deliveries, consisting of nine fours and a maximum.
While it was the 19th ODI ton for Root, it was the first for Bethell, who top-scored with 110 off only 82 balls. Jos Buttler provided the finishing touches for the home side, hammering an unbeaten 62 to propel England to their fifth highest score total in 50-over international cricket. All the Proteas' bowlers proved to be expensive, with only Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj accounting for wickets.
As things stand, Jofra Archer has knocked over Aiden Markram (0) and Ryan Rickelton (1), while Brydon Carse dismissed Wiaan Mulder for 0. South Africa are reeling at 6/3, chasing a massive 415.
