ENG vs SA 2025: 'It was a gamble, and the gamble didn't pay off' - Harry Brook analyses series defeat to Proteas

Published - 05 Sept 2025, 15:33 IST | Updated - 05 Sept 2025, 16:12 IST

Harry Brook dismissed talks about resting England's Test players after the Three Lions suffered their second consecutive defeat to South Africa in the ongoing three-match ODI series on Thursday, September 4.

After suffering a one-sided defeat in the first ODI, England gave South Africa a run for their money at Lord's Cricket Ground in the second game, hoping to keep the series alive. However, the home side fell five runs short of South Africa's total of 330/8.

Some England fans and experts feel that England should rest some of their Test players ahead of the Ashes tour of Australia, starting in November. However, after the narrow defeat, England's white-ball skipper Brook said that he will look to play the strongest teams with marquee events like the T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup lined up over the next couple of years.

"I'm not selecting the Ashes side, that's up to Stokesy and Baz. We want to try and play our strongest side in every white-ball game. We've got World Cups coming up-the T20 World Cup this winter and the one-day World Cup the following winter," he said.

Despite admitting that the schedule is demanding, Brook refused to use fatigue as an excuse for England's recent struggles.

"It's easy to say that (we're tired), but in my eyes that's just an excuse. We're good enough and fit enough to keep playing for the time being," he added.

Brook praised the England batters for getting within touching distance of the target, as he felt that South Africa were 10-15 runs above par.

"We felt they (South Africa) were 10 or 15 above par, so it was a very good effort for us to get within one blow of their score," he commented.

Expensive spells from part-time spinners Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks, who conceded a combined 112 runs in just 10 overs, pushed England on the back foot. Brook admitted he had made a tactical error during the encounter.

"I probably got it wrong on one occasion when I bowled Jacksy from the Pavilion End to the right-handers hitting it down the hill. It was a gamble, and the gamble didn't pay off," he explained.

The ODI leg of the white-ball series will end with the third and final encounter on Sunday, September 7, which will be played at The Rose Bowl in Southampton. South Africa are 2-0 up in the series and will look to complete a whitewash. England, on the other hand, will look to salvage some pride.