Salt's fastest T20 century propels England to 304 and big win over South Africa

Phil Salt produced the fastest T20 international century for England as the hosts posted a record 304-2 and beat South Africa by 146 runs at Emirates Old Trafford to level the three-match series 1-1.

Salt reached three figures off 39 balls, eclipsing Liam Livingstone's previous England record of 42 balls set in 2021, and finished unbeaten on 141 off 60 balls with 15 fours and eight sixes. Jos Buttler added 83 off 30 as the opening pair put on 126 for the first wicket, setting the platform for England's highest T20 total and the highest score in a T20I between two full-member nations.

England raced to 100 without loss at the end of the powerplay as Buttler, who reached a half-century in 18 balls, attacked from the outset. Salt, dismissed for a golden duck in Cardiff three days earlier, had a quieter opening phase but accelerated through the middle overs, reaching a 50 off 19 balls before tearing through the South African attack in the second half of the innings. Jacob Bethell contributed 24 off 10 and captain Harry Brook finished 41 not out off 21, as England kept up an aggressive scoring rate throughout the 20 overs.

South Africa responded with an explosive start as Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton put on 50 runs from 22 deliveries to briefly revive the chase. The momentum swung back in the fourth over when Jofra Archer struck twice; he finished with figures of 3-25. Sam Curran added two wickets and took a sharp catch to dismiss Markram, who top-scored with 41 off 20 balls. Bjorn Fortuin's late 16-ball 32 provided late resistance, but South Africa were bowled out for 158 in the 17th over.

England's innings included partnerships of 95 runs in 41 balls with Bethell and a 83-run stand off 37 balls with Brook as they refused to relent after the powerplay. The hosts' total surpassed Danni Wyatt-Hodge's 124 as the highest individual T20 international score by an England batter. On a night when four of South Africa's six bowlers conceded more than 15 runs an over, Rabada was noted for four no-balls and the visitors' attack struggled to contain the onslaught.

There had been pre-match concern over the weather, but it was the batters who dominated in Manchester. Archer, who missed the rain-affected first match in the series, returned to showcase his pace and variations, while Curran, recalled earlier in the summer, bowled economically and claimed two wickets.

England captain Harry Brook praised the opening stand, saying he and Buttler "never thought anyone would get 300" and that with the batting line-up "there are not many heights we can't reach." Player of the match Salt described the night as "really good fun," calling the personal milestone satisfying alongside the team's emphatic victory.

South Africa captain Aiden Markram accepted responsibility for the toss and said the opening masterclasses from England put his side under too much pressure, adding that South Africa would need to devise new plans for the series decider at Trent Bridge on Sunday.

The win followed a mixed recent run for England's white-ball sides, which included a disappointing defence of their 50-over World Cup and struggles in bilateral series earlier in the year. The Old Trafford performance offers an immediate lift as England prepare for the deciding T20 at Trent Bridge, where South Africa will seek to regain the series after an emphatic defeat in Manchester.