Phil Salt produced a record-breaking performance at Old Trafford on Friday, smashing the highest individual score and fastest century by an England batsman in T20 internationals.
His unbeaten 141 powered England to a monumental 304-2 against South Africa, the first time a team in a T20 between two Test-playing nations had crossed the 300 mark. England went on to crush the Proteas by 146 runs, leveling the three-match series 1-1.
India had previously come closest to the milestone with 297-6 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024. On this night, Salt’s brilliance ensured England rewrote the history books.
An elated Salt told Sky Sports: "That was really good fun. A personal milestone but the fact we got 300 and won by such a big margin, I can't have asked for much more."
Only Zimbabwe (344 against Gambia in 2023) and Nepal (314 versus Mongolia in 2022) have ever posted higher totals in T20 internationals.
South Africa’s reply never took off as they stumbled early and were bundled out for 158 inside 17 overs, with captain Aiden Markram’s 41 the lone highlight. England fast bowler Jofra Archer, returning after being rested for the opening game in Cardiff, impressed with 3-25 in just three overs.
Salt, who had previously set England’s record T20 score with 119 against the West Indies in Trinidad in December 2023, surpassed his own landmark with a dazzling 60-ball innings packed with 15 fours and eight sixes at his home ground. It was his fourth T20 international hundred — no other England batter has managed more than one.
His century arrived in only 39 deliveries, breaking Liam Livingstone’s record for the quickest England ton in any format (42 balls against Pakistan in 2021).
Salt’s onslaught began from the first over when he smashed Marco Jansen for three consecutive fours before lifting him straight back over his head for six. His dominance set the tone for a blistering opening partnership of 126 runs in just 7.5 overs with Jos Buttler, who made 83 off 30 balls with eight fours and seven sixes.
Buttler looked destined for a hundred of his own before he was dismissed by spinner Bjorn Fortuin, who finished as South Africa’s most effective bowler with 2-52. Jacob Bethell was his other victim.
Harry Brook, who remained unbeaten on 41, admitted even the England players were stunned by their total. “Pretty lost for words. The way them two (Salt and Buttler) started off was just phenomenal. Me and Jos were stood out there and said we never thought anyone get 300.”
Markram conceded mistakes from the outset, reflecting: “Probably started getting it wrong from the toss, so that one's on me. Two masterclasses up front from them and when you're put under that amount of pressure it's tough to come back."
Salt eventually reached his century with a two off a free hit against Kagiso Rabada, completing it with 13 fours and five sixes. Rabada endured a difficult night, conceding 70 runs from four wicketless overs.
For context, the fastest T20 hundred in a clash between two Test nations remains David Miller’s 35-ball effort for South Africa against Bangladesh at Potchefstroom in 2017.
With the series now level, the decider will take place at Trent Bridge on Sunday.
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