Salt’s Record-Breaking 141 Powers England to Historic T20 Victory Over South Africa
MANCHESTER – Phil Salt produced a once-in-a-lifetime performance on Friday night, smashing an unbeaten 141 to lead England to a record-breaking 304-2 against South Africa — the first time any Test-playing nation has crossed the 300-run mark in T20 internationals.
Salt’s explosive innings, played on his home ground at Old Trafford, came off just 60 balls and featured 15 boundaries and eight sixes. His century arrived in only 39 deliveries — the fastest by any England batter in international cricket, surpassing Liam Livingstone’s 42-ball effort in 2021.
Partnering with Jos Buttler, who blazed 83 from 30 balls, Salt set the tone with a ferocious 126-run opening stand inside eight overs. England captain Harry Brook added an unbeaten 41 as the hosts piled on an unprecedented total.
“Pretty lost for words,” admitted Brook. “The way Salt and Buttler started was just phenomenal. Jos and I even said we never thought anyone would reach 300.”
South Africa never came close in reply. Chasing a mammoth target, they crumbled for 158 in under 17 overs. Skipper Aiden Markram top-scored with 41, while England’s pace spearhead Jofra Archer returned with figures of 3-25. Kagiso Rabada, usually South Africa’s most reliable bowler, endured a torrid evening, conceding 70 runs from his four overs.
Reflecting on the loss, Markram admitted mistakes were made from the outset. “Probably started getting it wrong from the toss, so that one’s on me. Two masterclasses up front put us under huge pressure.”
Salt, who just two days earlier had been dismissed for a golden duck in Cardiff, described his night as unforgettable. “That was really good fun. A personal milestone, but to hit 300 and win by such a margin — I couldn’t have asked for more.”
England’s total was the third-highest in T20 international history, behind Zimbabwe’s 344 against Gambia last year and Nepal’s 314 against Mongolia in 2023. It also surpassed England’s previous best of 267-3, set against West Indies in Trinidad in December 2023 — an innings also built around Salt’s batting.
The series now heads to Trent Bridge on Sunday, where South Africa will look to salvage pride after England’s stunning display rewrote the T20 record books.
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