Right-handed batsman Phil Salt scores an impressive 141* off 60 balls, leading England to a substantial total of 304 and securing a 146-run victory over South Africa.
MANCHESTER: Phil Salt achieved the biggest score and fastest century by an England batsman in a T20 international, leading the hosts to a resounding 146-run victory over South Africa, thus equalizing their three-match series at 1-1 during a record-setting evening at Old Trafford on Friday.
In the second T20I against South Africa, England surpassed the 300-run threshold on a record-breaking evening.
This performance formed the foundation of England’s substantial total of 304-2.
It became the inaugural instance in a T20 international between two Test-playing nations where a team achieved a score of 300, with India previously approaching this milestone by hitting 297-6 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024.
South Africa, confronted with a formidable target, predictably lost early wickets and was bowled out for 158 in less than 17 overs, with captain Aiden Markram’s 41 being the highest score.
An exuberant Salt informed Sky Sports, “That was exceptionally enjoyable.”
“It was a personal milestone for me, and considering we scored 300 and won by such a large margin, I couldn’t have asked for much more.”
Only Zimbabwe, with 344 runs against Gambia in October of the previous year, and Nepal, which scored 314 against Mongolia two years prior, have achieved higher totals at this level.
Jofra Archer recorded figures of 3-25 in three overs following England’s Express Quick’s absence in the Proteas’ series-opening victory in a rain-abridged encounter in Cardiff on Wednesday.
Salt’s 119, the current England record at this level, was essential to his nation’s previous most incredible T20 total of 267-3 against the West Indies in Trinidad in December 2023.
The 29-year-old, dismissed for a Golden Duck in Cardiff, reversed his fortunes with an impressive 60-ball innings that included 15 fours and eight sixes at his home stadium in Lancashire.
He scored his fourth T20 century off 39 deliveries, a feat no other England batter has achieved more than once.
It was the fastest century in any format by an England batsman, eclipsing Liam Livingstone’s 42-ball achievement in a T20 match against Pakistan at Trent Bridge in 2021.
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler Power England with Explosive 126-Run Opening Stand
When England batted, Phil Salt and county teammate Jos Buttler formed a formidable opening partnership, scoring 126 runs in just 7.5 overs. Buttler contributed 83 runs, and England captain Harry Brook added an unbeaten 41 runs.
Brook conveyed his astonishment. The manner in which Salt and Buttler commenced their innings was truly exceptional.
I was standing outside and remarked that we never anticipated anyone would achieve 300.”
Circumstances had turned unfavourable for South Africa even before the initial delivery, stating, “I likely began making errors at the toss; thus, I accept accountability for that.”
“They delivered two exceptional masterclasses, and when subjected to such intense pressure, it is challenging to recover.”
The aggressive Salt scored four runs from the first three deliveries of the match by slicing Marco Jansen over point, hitting a shot to fine leg, and then driving the ball down the ground.
Salt concluded the over by launching Jansen directly over the left-arm bowler’s head for six runs.
Former England captain Buttler poised for an astonishingly rapid century when his innings of 83 runs, achieved in just 30 balls and comprising eight fours and seven sixes, concluded as he caught off Bjorn Fortuin.
Salt dismissed two runs short of a free hit; quick bowler Kagiso Rabada conceded a century off 39 balls, comprising 13 fours and five sixes.
David Miller’s 35-ball innings for South Africa against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom in 2017 is the fastest century in a T20 match involving two Test-playing nations.
The sole successful South African bowler achieved figures of 2-52 in four overs.
Kagiso Rabada, the quick bowler, was dismissed two runs short of a free hit after conceding a century off 39 balls, which included 13 fours and five sixes.
Miller’s 35-ball innings for South Africa against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom in 2017 is the fastest century scored in a T20 match between two Test-playing nations.
The premier bowler of his time conceded 70 runs in four overs without taking any wickets on Friday.
The series culminates at Trent Bridge on Sunday.