Cricholic
Phil Salt smashed an unbeaten 141 off 60 balls, guiding England to a world-record 304/2 in the second T20I against South Africa. As a result, England became the first Full Member team to cross 300 in T20Is. South Africa, on the other hand, collapsed to 158 all out in 16.1 overs, suffering a 146-run defeat — their heaviest in the format.
Phil Salt Powers England Past 300 💥
England’s 304/2 was only the third total above 300 in T20Is. However, it was the first time a Full Member team achieved the feat. Only Zimbabwe’s 344/4 against Gambia (2024) and Nepal’s 314/3 against Mongolia (2023) were higher.
Previously, England’s best was 267/3 against West Indies in 2023. Against South Africa, the record had belonged to India’s 283/1 in Johannesburg (2024), but Phil Salt ensured that his side rewrote history with ease.
Phil Salt and Buttler Dominate the PowerPlay 🌪️
Phil Salt and Jos Buttler launched a brutal assault on South Africa’s bowling. Together, they added 126 runs in 47 balls at an astonishing run rate of 16 per over. Consequently, it became the highest 100+ stand for a Full Member side in T20Is.
By the end of the PowerPlay, England had already reached 100/0 in 5.5 overs. This was only the fourth occasion where a Full Member team crossed 100 inside six overs. Moreover, the momentum carried on, as England reached 166/1 in 10 overs, the highest halfway total in T20Is.
Phil Salt Rewrites Individual Records 🏏
Phil Salt’s 141 at Old Trafford* is now the highest T20I score by an England batter, surpassing his own 119. Furthermore, it ranks as the fifth-highest score by a Full Member player and the best ever against South Africa. It even eclipsed Babar Azam’s 122 in 2021.
His century came in just 39 balls, which made it the fastest by an English batter in T20Is. In addition, it equaled Johnson Charles’s record for the fastest ton against South Africa.
Phil Salt now has four T20I centuries in only 42 innings. Therefore, he is the quickest among Full Member players to reach the milestone, well ahead of Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Glenn Maxwell.
England’s Boundary Storm 🚀
England struck 48 boundaries in their innings, with 30 fours and 18 sixes. Consequently, it was the second-most boundaries in a T20I innings, only behind Zimbabwe’s 57 against Gambia.
They also crossed 200 in just 12.1 overs, which set another record. Previously, the fastest team 200 was Zimbabwe’s 12.5 overs against Gambia in 2024.
South Africa’s Bowling Nightmare 😓
South Africa’s bowlers had no answers. For the first time in T20Is, three of their bowlers conceded 60+ runs in a single game. Rabada gave away 70, Williams 62, and Jansen 60. As a result, Rabada’s figures became the most expensive by any South African in T20Is.
Williams leaked 62 runs in only three overs. In fact, it was one of the most expensive three-over spells ever by a bowler from a Full Member team.
Phil Salt Inspires England’s Biggest T20I Win 🏆
England’s 146-run win is now their largest in T20Is, surpassing their 137-run win over West Indies in 2019. Meanwhile, for South Africa, it was their heaviest defeat by runs, going past the 135-run loss to India in Johannesburg in 2024.
Phil Salt not only delivered England’s greatest T20I innings but also inspired a team performance that broke records across the board. His name will now be etched at the top of England’s T20I history.
Brief Scores 📋
England 304/2 (20 overs): Phil Salt 141*, Jos Buttler 83, Harry Brook 41*; Bjorn Fortuin 2-52
South Africa 158 (16.1 overs): Aiden Markram 41, Bjorn Fortuin 32; Jofra Archer 3-25, Sam Curran 2-11
👉 England won by 146 runs, leveling the series 1-1.
