England scripts history with record T20I total as Phil Salt blazes fastest Century

Opener Phil Salt spearheaded England’s assault with an unbeaten 141 off just 60 balls, including 30 fours and nine sixes, while captain Jos Buttler tormented the Proteas with a blistering 83 from 39 deliveries.

England elected to bat first after winning the toss and immediately adopted an all-guns-blazing approach. Salt and Buttler combined in a sensational opening stand of 126 runs in only 47 balls, racing to 106/1 inside the powerplay. Salt reached his century in just 39 balls, marking the fastest T20I century ever for an England player. Buttler, meanwhile, notched the fastest half-century of his career in just 18 balls, underscoring his reputation as one of the game’s most explosive finishers.

After Buttler fell for 83 his career-best T20I score England’s momentum did not wane. Salt forged a 95-run partnership for the second wicket with Jacob Bethell, who chipped in 26 off 14 balls. Bethell’s cameo kept the run rate charging at over 10 per over, setting the stage for Salt to dominate the latter half of the innings. In the final phase, Harry Brook joined Salt and added an unbeaten 83-run stand in 37 balls, ensuring England crossed the 300-run threshold for only the third time in T20I history.

South Africa’s bowling attack struggled to contain the onslaught. Kagiso Rabada was the most expensive bowler, conceding 70 runs, while Lizaad Williams and Marco Jansen leaked 62 and 60 runs respectively. Uncharacteristic fielding lapses and extras—including eight wides and five no-balls gifted England an additional 13 runs, compounding South Africa’s woes.

In reply, South Africa never threatened the target. The Proteas were bundled out for 158 in 16.1 overs, falling short by a massive 146 runs. Captain Aiden Markram top-scored with 41, but his efforts were isolated in a one-sided chase. Bjorn Fortuin offered some resistance with 32 runs, and Donovan Ferreira and Tristan Stubbs made 23 apiece, yet none could arrest the collapse. England’s seamers ran through the tail, with Jofra Archer claiming a match-winning three-wicket haul, supported by two wickets each from Sam Curran, Reece Topley and Will Jacks.

This landmark victory not only cements England’s status as a powerhouse in T20 cricket but also highlights Phil Salt’s meteoric rise as one of the game’s most destructive hitters. The record-breaking total of 304/2 will be remembered as one of the greatest T20I batting exhibitions, forever etched in cricketing folklore.