England vs South Africa 2nd T20I: Records Shattered in T20I Carnage!

England vs South Africa 2nd T20I: A Night of Record-Breaking Genius

The second T20I between England vs South Africa at Emirates Old Trafford was not just another match in cricket – it was a historic demolition job. Against one of the most fearsome pace attacks in world cricket, and on a flat deck for batting, England served up a power-hitting clinic that shattered records and left many fans lost for words.

From Jos Buttler’s electric start to Phil Salt’s ultimately record-breaking innings, the innings demonstrated just how far we’ve come in the shortest format. South Africa’s attack, with Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, and Marco Jansen, was obliterated, and England scored an astronomical 304/2, the third-highest total in T20I history.

England’s Record-Breaking Night in the 2nd T20I

England’s batting was just incredible. There were so many records broken that night!

1. Third-Highest Team Total in T20Is

England scored 304/2, which is now the third-highest score in T20I history. What’s amazing is that it’s the first time any team has scored over 300 against a Full Member nation, beating India’s 297/5 against Bangladesh in 2024.

2. A Century in the Powerplay

England got to 100/0 in just six overs. They are only the fourth Full Member team to hit a century in the Powerplay.

3. Highest 10-Over Score in T20Is

After 10 overs, England was already at 166/1. This is the highest score ever recorded at the halfway point in a T20I game.

4. Fastest to 200 Runs in T20Is

England passed 200 runs in just 12.1 overs. It’s the quickest any team has gotten to 200 in T20I cricket, beating Zimbabwe’s old record.

5. Second-Most Boundaries in an Innings

England hit a crazy 48 boundaries (30 fours and 18 sixes), which is the second-most ever in a T20I innings.

Phil Salt’s Awesome Performance

Phil Salt was the star of the night, playing the best T20I innings ever by an England player. 141* (not out) – This is the highest individual score by an Englishman in T20Is.

He beat Babar Azam’s 122 to get the highest T20I score against South Africa. He reached his century in only 39 balls, which is the fastest T20I hundred for England.

He is now joint-third fastest to reach four T20I centuries (in 42 innings), along with Suryakumar Yadav. Salt’s batting was not only powerful—it was historic, confident, and he really took control, showing everyone England’s strength.

Jos Buttler & Salt: Opening Partnership Carnage

The opening partnership of 126 runs between Jos Buttler and Phil Salt was on fire and they scored at an unbelievable rate of 16.06 per over, which is the highest-ever run rate for a 100+ stand in T20Is between Full Member nations.

South Africa’s Bowling Nightmare

It was a night which will haunt South African cricket:

Rabada (0/70) – The most expensive figures by a South African in T20Is. Williams (62) and Jansen (60) – Each of them gave away more than 60 runs, which is a new record for 3 SA bowlers releasing 60+ runs in a T20I.

The Proteas bowlers had no answer to this onslaught as every over was a highlight for the English batsmen.

England’s Largest Ever T20I Win by Runs

The match finished with a massive 146-run win margin which is England’s largest win in T20I format to date. For South Africa, that was their largest loss in their T20I history hence a clear reminder of the gap that existed between the sides on the evening.

England’s decimation of South Africa at Old Trafford will surely go down as one of the more one-sided T20Is ever played. Along with Phil Salt writing record books and England past 300+ against a Full Member nation, it now sets a new bar from which T20 success will be judged upon in the future.

As fans and pundits continue to reflect on this performance, one thing is very clear: T20 cricket has now moved to a different stage of fearless batting.