Phil Salt achieved the best score and the fastest century by an England batsman in a T20 international, as the hosts decisively defeated South Africa by 146 runs, equalizing their three-match series at 1-1 on a record-setting evening at Old Trafford on Friday.
Opening batter Salt’s remarkable 141 not out formed the foundation of England’s substantial 304-2.
This became the inaugural instance in a T20 international between two Test-playing nations where a team achieved a score of 300, with India previously nearing this milestone by hitting 297-6 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024.
South Africa, confronted with a formidable target, predictably lost early wickets and were bowled out for 158 in less than 17 overs, with captain Aiden Markram’s 41 being the highest score.
Jofra Archer recorded figures of 3-25 in three overs after the England fast bowler was absent in the Proteas’ series-opening victory in a rain-affected encounter in Cardiff on Wednesday.
Salt’s 119, the current England record at this level, was essential to his nation’s previous most fantastic 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.
His fourth T20 century was achieved in 39 deliveries, marking the fastest century in any format by an England batter, eclipsing Liam Livingstone’s 42-ball effort in a Twenty20 against Pakistan at Trent Bridge in 2021.
Salt and county teammate Jos Buttler (83) had a formidable opening partnership of 126 runs in just 7.5 overs after England lost the toss, while captain Harry Brook contributed an unbeaten 41.
The assertive Salt hit fours from the initial three deliveries of the match, with fast bowler Marco Jansen being sliced over point, blasted through fine leg, and driven down the ground.
Salt concluded the over by striking left-arm bowler Jansen directly over his head for six runs.
Buttler, in contrast, struck Lizaad Williams for consecutive sixes, with the South African fast bowler yielding 62 runs in under three overs.
Former England captain Buttler was poised for a remarkably rapid century when his innings of 83 runs from just 30 balls, featuring eight fours and seven sixes, concluded as he was caught off Bjorn Fortuin.
Spinner Fortuin, who also removed Jacob Bethell, was the sole successful bowler for South Africa, achieving figures of 2-52 in four overs.
Salt’s two runs from a free knock against fast bowler Kagiso Rabada propelled him to 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.
Rabada, a premier bowler of his era, let 70 runs in four wicketless overs on Friday.
The series culminates at Trent Bridge on Sunday.
Brief scores
England 304-2, 20 overs (P Salt 141 no, J Buttler 83)
South Africa 158 all out, 16.1 overs (A Markram 41; J Archer 3-25)
Result: England won by 146 runs
Series: Three-match series level at 1-1
