All pain and little gain: How England became the Proteas' ODI graveyard

When the Proteas commence their three-match ODI series against England on Tuesday, history will be wholly against them.

For a team that, in general, had been far superior in the 50-over format than their old foes until 2016 - when the English revolutionised their game in the format - South Africa have performed surprisingly poor in bilateral series over in the United Kingdom.

In fact, they've only 1 out of 5 series, dating back to 1998 when a peak Hansie Cronje-Bob Woolmer combination walked away with a 2-1 triumph.

Sport24 revisits South Africa's pain in England.

1994 - England won series 2-0

                                                                        Daryll Cullinan. (Getty)

This two-match series had a thoroughly low-key vibe to it as South Africa wearily tried to end a deflating tour. 

The emotion from a creditable drawn Test series as well as the first national cricket team to tour as a fully democratic nation had worn off, exposing their antiquated thinking in the ODI format.

An agreement to play 55-over matches meant South Africa had the relative comfort of time on their side to build decent totals, but failed to do so.

Their effort of 215/7 in the first match at Edgbaston was decent if uninspired... and totally overshadowed by Graeme Hick's fine 81, before they crawled to 181/9 in the second encounter.

At least the seamers reduced the hosts to 60/4 early on before England's superior batting depth ensured a whitewash.

1st ODI (Birmingham)

SA 215/7 in 55 (Daryll Cullinan 45, Hansie Cronje 36, Jonty Rhodes 35, Chris Lewis 3/35, Phil DeFreitas 3/38) LOST TO ENGLAND 219/4 in 54 (Graeme Hick 81, Mike Atherton 49) BY 6 WICKETS

2nd ODI (Manchester)

SA 181/9 in 55 (Cullinan 54, Gary Kirsten 30, Dominic Cork 3/49) LOST TO