England delivered an explosive performance, smashing their highest-ever T20I total to decisively beat South Africa by 146 runs, leveling the series at 1-1. This historic victory was powered by a breathtaking display from Phil Salt, who not only broke his own record for England’s highest individual T20I score but also blasted the fastest century by an English batter, reaching the milestone in just 39 balls. The emphatic win, England’s largest ever in this format, sets up a thrilling series decider on Sunday.
A Boundary Bonanza: Salt Leads England’s Batting Masterclass
Playing on a pitch perfectly suited for batting, England’s innings was a relentless assault, yielding a staggering 30 fours and 18 sixes. An astonishing 228 runs, or 75% of their monumental 304 for 2 total, came from boundaries, with Phil Salt leading the charge. Salt’s unbeaten 141 off 60 balls showcased his remarkable form, marking his fourth T20I century for England, the most by any English batter, and placing five of his scores among the top eight in the format.
South Africa’s bowling attack endured a torrid outing, conceding their highest ever T20I total. Three of their bowlers, Kagiso Rabada (0 for 70), Lizaad Williams (0 for 62), and Marco Jansen (0 for 60), recorded some of the most expensive returns in T20I history. Returning from injuries, their “comeback proper” proved to be a challenging one. Compounding their woes, South Africa’s discipline faltered, as they gave away eight wides and five no-balls, effectively bowling two extra overs to an already rampant England side. This tour has seen South Africa concede 772 runs in their last 75 overs across the final ODI and the first two T20Is, highlighting a worrying trend.
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South Africa’s Uphill Battle and Middle Order Concerns
Facing a colossal target, South Africa needed to chase at an improbable 15.25 runs per over. Despite a rapid start, reaching 50 for 0 after just 21 balls, they never genuinely threatened England’s total. Aiden Markram provided a brief glimmer of hope with his highest score in 18 innings, a brisk 41 off 20 balls, but found little support. Bjorn Fortuin’s 32 off 16 balls was the next best effort, but concerns about the team’s middle-order stability persist.
Buttler’s Early Blitz Sets the Tone
England’s aggressive intent was clear from the very first ball. Phil Salt immediately asserted his dominance, slicing Jansen over point for four, then slamming him through fine leg for another boundary, and following up with a cut for a third successive four. Jansen’s opening over cost 18 runs. While Rabada’s first over was relatively tight, Jos Buttler then unleashed, taking 22 runs off Williams. Left-arm spinner Fortuin also conceded 20 in his first over, before Rabada, switching ends, was similarly dispatched for 20. Buttler reached his personal fastest T20I fifty from just 18 balls, smashing a short delivery from Rabada through square leg. Nineteen-year-old Kwena Maphaka’s over saw Buttler race to 65 off 24 balls as England concluded the Powerplay in a commanding position.
Salt Pours on the Pain with Record-Breaking Century
Buttler’s dominant innings ended in the eighth over when he swept Fortuin to Tristan Stubbs at deep backward square. This dismissal left the stage open for Salt, who seized the moment with an astonishing display of power hitting. In the very next over after Buttler’s departure, Salt targeted Williams. Williams’ attempts to vary his pace with yorkers failed; Salt sent a leg-cutter over mid-wicket for six, brought up his fifty off just 19 balls from the first attempted yorker, and then dispatched a wide full toss over extra cover for another maximum.
South Africa’s bowlers appeared completely out of ideas. Maphaka tried a slower ball, only for Salt to send it soaring over short leg. A short delivery was pulled fine, and even a good-length ball was dispatched straight down the ground. Salt propelled England to a massive 166 for 1 at the halfway stage. When Rabada returned for the 13th over, Salt capitalized on two free hits as the senior pacer struggled with his rhythm, ultimately reaching his century off the second. Salt was far from finished; he then stepped outside his stumps to send Williams over square leg for six, claiming the record for England’s highest individual T20I score. A relay catch by Maphaka at wide long-on was initially thought to have dismissed Salt, but replays confirmed Maphaka’s heel touched the boundary cushion, resulting in yet another six. Salt finished his magnificent innings on 141 not out from 60 balls, the seventh-highest score in T20I history.
Archer’s Triple Strike, Unconventionally Done
Jofra Archer, rested from the previous rain-affected T20I, made an impactful return, playing a crucial role in South Africa’s first three wickets. After South Africa’s brisk start of 50 runs in 3.3 overs, Ryan Rickelton took 16 runs off the first three balls of Archer’s second over. However, Rickelton’s aggressive swipe at the fourth ball was intercepted by a brilliant catch from Liam Dawson at short mid-wicket, ending his innings on 20. Three deliveries later, Archer’s slower ball outfoxed Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who top-edged a slog-sweep and was caught at short third. South Africa found themselves at 53 for 2 after five overs, facing an immense task.
Despite Dewald Brevis coming in at No.4, their hopes quickly dwindled. Brevis hit his first ball, from Sam Curran, for four, but then miscued an attempt to send Curran over mid-wicket. Archer, positioned at mid-on, barely had to move to complete the catch, leaving South Africa reeling at 57 for 4 in the Powerplay. Archer secured his third dismissal when he returned in the 12th over with South Africa at 115 for 5. Jansen played a leg-cutter straight back to Archer, who had to quickly recover the ball from his right hand to complete the catch with his left. Adding to his impactful fielding, Archer also took two more catches, dismissing Tristan Stubbs and Kagiso Rabada later in the innings.
Curran’s Clever Variations Contain South Africa
Sam Curran, known for his deceptive slower deliveries, often dubbed “moon-balls,” emerged as England’s most effective bowler. While he bowled some deliveries at a mere 47mph, he strategically dismissed Brevis with a quicker ball. Donovan Ferreira also fell victim to Curran’s change-ups, deceived by a short ball which he skied over Buttler, who showed excellent athleticism to run back and complete the catch. Curran finished with impressive figures of 2 for 11 from two overs, boasting an economy rate of just 5.50. Only Will Jacks, who claimed two wickets in his single over while conceding only two runs, achieved a better return with 2 for 1.
