Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
England cricket fans witnessed history at Old Trafford in Manchester when Phil Salt smashed the fastest and highest Twenty20 hundred ever scored by an Englishman. His unbeaten 141 runs led England to a record-breaking total of 304-2 against South Africa. It was the third highest score ever in men’s T20 cricket worldwide.
The game ended with England winning by 146 runs, their biggest margin of victory in T20 history. For South Africa, it was their heaviest loss in this format. The match will be remembered for years, not just for Salt’s heroics but also for the way England dominated with both bat and ball.
Salt Shines With Career-Best Knock
Phil Salt was the hero of the night. He scored 141 runs not out from just 60 balls, hitting eight sixes and 15 boundaries. His innings was full of power, timing, and fearless hitting. The crowd at Old Trafford could not stop cheering as Salt kept finding gaps and clearing the boundary with ease.
This was Salt’s fourth T20 century for England, making him the most successful Englishman in terms of hundreds in this format. Before him, no other England player had more than one century. Globally, only Glenn Maxwell and Rohit Sharma have scored more, with five each.
Buttler Adds To The Fireworks
Salt was well supported by captain Jos Buttler, who made 83 runs off 30 balls. Buttler started explosively, smashing fours and sixes at will. He reached his fifty in just 18 balls, the third fastest half-century by an English player in T20s.
At one point, it looked like Buttler might break Liam Livingstone’s record for England’s fastest century in 40 balls. But he fell at 83 when he hit a ball straight to the fielder in the deep. Even so, his innings set the stage for Salt to take charge and rewrite records.
England Cross The 300 Mark
England’s final score of 304-2 was something extraordinary. It was the first time an ICC full member crossed the 300 mark in men’s T20 cricket. Only two teams have scored more runs: Zimbabwe, who made 344 against Gambia in 2024, and Nepal, who scored 314 against Mongolia in 2023.
To reach this historic score, England smashed 18 sixes and 30 fours. The last over was particularly dramatic, with Kagiso Rabada bowling no balls and conceding heavily. By the time the innings ended, the crowd knew they had witnessed something special.
South Africa Struggle Under Pressure
Chasing 305 was always going to be nearly impossible. South Africa began with some fight, scoring 64-3 in the powerplay. Their captain, Aiden Markram, tried to put up resistance with 41 runs from 20 balls. But once he was dismissed in the eighth over, South Africa’s chances of winning disappeared.
The team kept losing wickets regularly and could not keep up with the required run rate. They were bowled out for 158 runs in the 17th over. The massive target and the pressure created by England’s bowlers proved too much for them.
England Bowlers Seal The Win
While the batting fireworks made headlines, England’s bowlers also played a key role. Jofra Archer bowled with pace and accuracy, taking three wickets for 25 runs. Sam Curran chipped in with two wickets for just 11 runs, while Will Jacks picked up two wickets towards the end.
The bowlers worked as a unit, applying pressure on South Africa’s batsmen who were already struggling after a poor start. Their disciplined performance ensured that England’s record score was well defended.
Salt Reflects On His Achievement
After the match, Phil Salt said he was thrilled with the performance. Speaking to Sky Sports, he called the night “really good fun” and said that the team’s success mattered more than his personal record. “The fact we got 300 and won by such a big margin, I can’t have asked for much more,” he said.
Salt’s humility and focus on the team’s win showed that he was not just chasing records for himself but contributing to England’s larger goals in the build-up to the T20 World Cup.
England’s Captain On The Win
England’s captain Harry Brook also praised the team’s performance. He said that with the kind of batting lineup England has, there are “not many heights we can’t reach.” Brook highlighted that every game now is good preparation for the T20 World Cup, which will be played in February.
He added that the win showed the strength of England’s attacking approach and gave the team confidence ahead of the series decider.
Series Heads To Decider
The win leveled the three-match series 1-1, setting up an exciting final game in Nottingham on Sunday. With both teams having won one game each, the last match will decide the series winner.
England will go into the decider with great momentum after such a dominating performance. South Africa, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly and find a way to bounce back from their heaviest T20 defeat.
Why This Win Matters
England’s record-breaking win is more than just statistics. It shows that the team is in top form ahead of a major tournament. Breaking records builds confidence and gives the players belief that they can dominate any opposition.
For South Africa, the loss is a wake-up call. They will need to improve both their bowling and batting strategies to compete at the highest level. With the T20 World Cup around the corner, both teams know that every game counts as preparation.
Fans Celebrate A Historic Night
The fans at Old Trafford were treated to an unforgettable evening. They saw fireworks from the bats of Salt and Buttler, record-breaking scores, and an English team that looked unstoppable. The chants and cheers showed just how much the crowd enjoyed the match.
For cricket lovers around the world, this game was a reminder of why T20 cricket is so exciting. In just a few hours, fans witnessed milestones, drama, and world-class performances.
With the T20 World Cup only a few months away, this win sends a strong message. England’s batting depth, bowling attack, and fearless approach make them one of the favorites. Salt’s innings also shows that England have players who can single-handedly change the course of a game.
South Africa, meanwhile, will be determined to learn from this defeat. The upcoming decider will give them a chance to test themselves again and prove they can recover quickly.
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