Manchester, September 12, 2025 – England rewrote the record books on Friday night at Old Trafford, posting their highest-ever T20 international total and crushing South Africa by a massive 146 runs to level the series 1-1.
Batting first, England piled up 304 for 2, becoming the first English side to cross the 300-run mark in T20Is. The innings was headlined by a breathtaking unbeaten 141 from Phil Salt*, his fourth T20 international century, scored off just 49 balls. Salt also registered the fastest century by an England batter in T20Is, reaching three figures in only 39 deliveries.
Captain Jos Buttler provided explosive support, smashing 83 off just 30 balls, as the opening partnership between Salt and Buttler produced 126 runs. Harry Brook (41 off 21) kept the momentum going, as England hammered 30 fours and 18 sixes in their innings.
South Africa, faced with a monumental chase, started aggressively and reached 50 in the fourth over, but their hopes quickly collapsed. Ryan Rickelton, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Dewald Brevis all fell in quick succession, leaving the visitors reeling. They were eventually bowled out for 158 in 16.5 overs.
The margin of defeat – 146 runs – is England’s largest ever in T20 internationals and one of the biggest in history. The total of 304 ranks as the third-highest team score in T20 internationals, behind Zimbabwe (344 vs Gambia in 2024) and Nepal (314 vs Mongolia in 2023).
South Africa’s coach Shukri Conrad admitted his side’s bowling lacked ideas, calling the performance “abject” and criticizing the lack of yorkers and variation.
For Salt, the innings was another reminder of his status as one of England’s most destructive T20 batters. “I can’t turn into Jos Buttler, but I’ve tried to take the best bits from him,” Salt said after the match.
The series is now tied 1-1, with the decider to be played at Trent Bridge on Sunday.
