Phil Salt delivered the innings of his career, registering his highest score in T20 internationals and the quickest century by any England batter in the format, as the hosts overwhelmed South Africa by 146 runs in a record-setting contest at Old Trafford.
Opening the innings, Salt produced a breathtaking unbeaten 141 that powered England to a towering 304 for two. It marked the first occasion in T20 internationals between Test-playing nations that a side had surpassed the 300-run barrier. The previous best had belonged to India, who posted 297 for six against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024.
Faced with an enormous target, South Africa stumbled from the outset and were bundled out for 158 inside 17 overs. Captain Aiden Markram’s 41 was the top score in an otherwise disappointing batting display.Reflecting on his remarkable performance, Salt told Sky Sports that it had been “really good fun” and said reaching a personal milestone was special, but even more satisfying was the team reaching 300 and sealing such a dominant win.
At the global level, only Zimbabwe, who amassed 344 against Gambia in 2024, and Nepal, who piled up 314 against Mongolia in 2023, have managed higher totals in the format.Jofra Archer, returning to the side after missing the rain-affected opening game in Cardiff, added to England’s dominance by taking three wickets for 25 runs in a fiery three-over spell.
Salt’s knock eclipsed his previous best of 119, which had also been the cornerstone of England’s earlier record total of 267 for three against West Indies in Trinidad in December 2023. On his Lancashire home ground, the 29-year-old struck 15 fours and eight sixes in a blistering 60-ball innings, a dramatic turnaround after falling for a first-ball duck in the series opener.
It was Salt’s fourth century in T20 internationals, a feat unmatched by any other England player, none of whom have more than one to their name. His hundred came from just 39 deliveries, making it the fastest ever by an England batter in any format and surpassing Liam Livingstone’s 42-ball effort against Pakistan at Trent Bridge in 2021.
