It was a night to remember at Emirates Old Trafford as England’s T20 side produced one of the most explosive displays in international cricket history.
Phil Salt’s sensational innings helped England reach a landmark score of 304 for two, the first time any team has crossed 300 in a Twenty20 international against a Test nation.
Salt Sets the Tone with Blistering Century
From the very first ball, Salt announced his intentions, smashing the opening three deliveries to the boundary and racing to a 39-ball hundred—his fourth in T20 internationals and the fastest ever by an English batsman.
The 29-year-old eclipsed Lancashire teammate Liam Livingstone’s 42-ball effort against Pakistan from four years ago, turning the match into a spectacle of power hitting and precision.
England Dominate After Previous Setbacks
Just five days after handing South Africa a record ODI defeat by 342 runs, England carried their momentum into the T20 series, ending their streak of 13 losses in 21 limited-overs matches this year.
Salt’s 141 not out ensured England’s biggest T20 victory to date, setting the stage for a thrilling series decider in Nottingham on Sunday, weather permitting.
Buttler and Brook Keep the Tempo High
While Salt stole the headlines, Jos Buttler’s 83 off 30 balls was a standout innings in its own right, though overshadowed by Salt’s heroics.
England’s opening power play yielded a record-breaking 100-plus runs, setting the tone for Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook to maintain an extraordinary scoring rate, producing partnerships of 95 and 83 runs respectively.
Salt Surpasses Personal Milestones
Salt’s relentless form saw him surpass his previous career-best of 119, scored against West Indies in December 2023.
A fortunate boundary from Kwena Maphaka helped him secure a seventh six, and a final six off Kagiso Rabada in the last over cemented England’s historic total, surpassing India’s previous T20 international best of 297 for six.
Team Selection and Opportunities
Salt’s inclusion wasn’t guaranteed, as Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett were resting and he had previously stepped aside for paternity leave.
Speaking about his selection, Salt reflected on the importance of humility and earning his spot through performance rather than entitlement.
South Africa Struggle Despite Strong Start
South Africa initially looked competitive, racing to 50 without loss in just over three overs.
But coach Shukri Conrad criticized his team’s bowling as “bereft of ideas,” describing the overall performance as “abject.”
England’s dominance on a high-quality surface left the visitors struggling to contain the onslaught.
Looking Ahead to the Series Decider
With history made in Manchester and the series now level, all eyes turn to Nottingham for the final T20 match.
England will hope to build on this monumental performance, while South Africa will be desperate to bounce back from a humbling defeat.