Phil Salt’s 141* leads England to record 304 and 146-run T20 rout of South Africa
England post first 300 in a T20 international versus a Test nation and level the series after a dominant batting display at Emirates Old Trafford
Phil Salt smashed an unbeaten 141 off 60 balls as England scored a record 304 for two and thrashed South Africa by 146 runs in the second Twenty20 international at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday, producing the first 300-plus T20I total by a team facing a Test nation.
Salt’s innings featured three boundaries off the first three deliveries he faced and a 39-ball hundred — the fastest by an England batsman in T20 internationals — as England piled up an unprecedented 166 for one at the halfway stage and finished with 304-2. Jos Buttler added a rapid 83 off 30 balls as England’s opening pair and middle order combined to obliterate the visitors.
Salt’s 141 not out was the fourth T20 international century of his career and eclipsed his previous best of 119. He was reprieved on 126 when a misfield at deep midwicket brushed the boundary cushion, and he struck his eighth six off Kagiso Rabada in the final over to take England past India’s 297 for six — previously the closest any leading cricket nation had come to the 300 mark in a contest between established Test sides.
England’s total represented a string of milestones: the first three-figure powerplay for the side in T20 internationals and an international best of 166 for one at the 10-over mark. Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook contributed during stands of 95 and 83 respectively, maintaining the extraordinary scoring tempo that left South Africa reeling.
South Africa’s reply collapsed under pressure from England’s attack and the task of defending a world-record run chase proved insurmountable. Jofra Archer was described as England’s pick of the bowlers as South Africa were bowled out for 158. Spinner Bjorn Fortuin accounted for two wickets, including Buttler, before heading to play at Edgbaston for Hampshire at the domestic Twenty20 finals day.
The win was England’s biggest-ever T20 success by runs and levelled the three-match series at 1-1 ahead of a deciding game in Nottingham on Sunday, weather permitting. The result followed an emphatic one-day international victory over the same opponents five days earlier, when England inflicted a record 342-run defeat on South Africa.
Salt, who missed part of the summer on paternity leave and had earlier in the series been dismissed first ball and dropped a catch in a wet Cardiff opener, said after the match that he had not anticipated such a total. 'Honestly, no. It’s a hell of an achievement,' he said. He added that the 300 mark was only mentioned when Brook came to the crease and that England’s relentless approach did not allow South Africa time to stem the scoring.
South Africa coach Shukri Conrad criticised his side’s performance, calling it 'abject' and saying the bowling was 'bereft of ideas.' The visitors had shown early intent by racing to 50 without loss inside 3.3 overs of the chase, but could not withstand England’s sustained hitting or the disciplined strike bowling that followed.
The match left a series decider in Nottingham as both teams prepare for a weekend finale. England will take confidence from a night that reprised their white-ball dominance, while South Africa will face scrutiny over tactics and execution after a heavy defeat at Old Trafford.