England created history in Manchester by smashing 304/2 against South Africa in the second T20I at Emirates Old Trafford. The hosts became the first Test-playing nation to score over 300 runs in a T20 International, breaking India’s previous record of 297/6 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024.
Phil Salt Leads Record Onslaught
Opening batter Phil Salt was in breathtaking form, hammering a career-best 141 not out off 60 balls. His innings included 15 fours and eight sixes, eclipsing his own England T20 record of 119 against West Indies in 2023.
Salt’s century came off just 39 balls, the fastest by any England player across formats, beating Liam Livingstone’s 42-ball ton against Pakistan in 2021. Returning to his Lancashire home ground, Salt dominated from the outset and ensured England’s innings entered the record books.
Buttler’s Brutal Support Act
Jos Buttler nearly matched Salt’s fireworks with a sensational 83 from just 30 deliveries. His knock, laced with eight fours and seven sixes, came at a stunning strike rate of 276.67. Buttler’s aggressive approach allowed England to maintain relentless pressure on South Africa.
Quoting the team’s assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak, “I don’t know how you look at workload management, but generally we do it for bowlers, mainly fast bowlers. When it comes to batsmen, only if they mentally feel that cricket has become too much for them does it become a concern. In my view, workload management is actually meant for fast bowlers. For batsmen, I don’t think workload management is that much of an issue.”
Middle-Order Firepower Maintains Flow
Jacob Bethell contributed a quick 26 off 15, while Harry Brook blasted an unbeaten 41 from 21 balls. Both ensured the run rate never dipped, pushing England beyond the monumental 300-run landmark.
Highest Totals in T20Is vs Full Member Teams
- 304/2 – England vs South Africa, Manchester 2025
- 297/6 – India vs Bangladesh, Hyderabad 2024
- 283/1 – India vs South Africa, Johannesburg 2024
- 278/3 – Afghanistan vs Ireland, Dehradun 2019
- 267/3 – England vs West Indies, Tarouba 2023
South Africa Crumble Under Pressure
Chasing 305, South Africa collapsed to 158 in under 17 overs. Captain Aiden Markram’s 41 was the only resistance. Jofra Archer, returning after missing the rain-hit opener, struck with 3/25 in three overs, dismantling the top order.
Highest Individual T20I Scores for England
- 141* – Phil Salt vs South Africa, Manchester 2025
- 119 – Phil Salt vs West Indies, Tarouba 2023
- 116* – Alex Hales vs Sri Lanka, Chattogram 2014
- 109* – Phil Salt vs West Indies, St George’s 2023
England Seal Dominant Win
England’s record-breaking show resulted in a massive 146-run victory, underlining their dominance in the format. Salt’s blazing century and Buttler’s fireworks marked one of the most destructive batting displays in T20I history.
Stay tuned for all the latest Cricket news, match highlights, player analysis and viral moments!