The England cricket team produced a breathtaking batting display against South Africa in the second T20I at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Friday, September 12. Under the leadership of Harry Brook, the hosts piled up a mammoth 304/2 in their 20 overs, becoming the first side in T20I history to breach the 300-run mark.
After being asked to bat first by South African skipper Aiden Markram, England came out all guns blazing to level the three-match series. Openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt launched a ruthless attack, putting together a blistering 126-run partnership in just 7.5 overs. Buttler smashed 83 from 30 balls, striking eight fours and seven sixes.
Brook and his men also shattered the record for the most runs scored by a team in the first 10 overs of a T20I, hammering 166.
What a night for this man 🤯 pic.twitter.com/nYSgcnYRBH
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 12, 2025
Following Buttler’s dismissal, Phil Salt kept up the relentless attack on the Proteas, racing to his century in just 39 balls. Jacob Bethell chipped in with a quickfire 26 from 14 deliveries before falling, while Harry Brook joined Salt and remained unbeaten on 41 off 21 balls, sharing an 83-run stand with the opener.
Salt carried his bat through the innings, blasting 141 off only 60 deliveries, studded with 15 fours and eight sixes. Every South African bowler went for over 10 runs per over, with leg-spinner Bjorn Fortuin claiming the only two wickets. Lizaad Williams endured a tough outing, conceding 62 runs in three overs at an economy of 20.66.
In response, South Africa were skittled for 158 in 16.1 overs, handing England a thumping 146-run victory. Notably, England’s previous highest T20I total was 267/3 against the West Indies.
England Enter Elite List As Second Full-Member Side To Cross 300-Run Mark In T20Is
England have now become just the second full-member nation, after Zimbabwe, to register a total of over 300 runs in a T20I. Zimbabwe had earlier amassed 344/4 against Gambia in Nairobi in October 2024, winning that match by a massive 290-run margin.
Prior to this clash, South Africa had won the rain-affected first T20I in Cardiff by 14 runs and also clinched the preceding ODI series 2-1. The third and final T20I of the series is scheduled for Sunday, September 14.
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