MANCHESTER – England’s T20I side set a new record at Emirates Old Trafford by becoming the first Test-playing country to score more than 300 runs in a T20I match. England scored an incredible 304 runs in 20 overs, thanks to a fantastic century from Phil Salt and a scorching half-century from Jos Buttler. This unusual attack led to a huge 146-run win over South Africa in the second T20I.
India held the record for the most runs scored in a T20I match between two Test-playing countries before this one. They scored 297/6 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024.
Phil Salt, the first hitter, was the star of the show, making a stunning 141 not out from just 60 balls. His innings, which included 15 fours and eight sixes, not only set a new record for the highest individual T20I score by an English batter (he had previously set the record with 119 against the West Indies in 2023), but it also included the fastest century by an England player in any format, reaching the milestone in just 39 balls.
Jos Buttler, Salt’s opening partner, gave him a great start with a powerful knock of his own. Buttler hit 83 runs off just 30 balls, with a strike rate of 276.67. He hit eight fours and seven sixes before he was out.
The middle-order batters kept up the momentum that the openers had started. Jacob Bethell scored 26 runs off of 15 balls, while Harry Brook scored 41 runs off of 21 balls without getting out. This kept England’s run flow continuing and helped them pass the 300-run mark.
South Africa’s innings never got underway since they were trying to reach a huge goal of 305. They were out for only 158 runs in 17 overs. The only hitter who put up any fight was South African skipper Aiden Markram, who scored 41 runs. Jofra Archer, who was back in the England bowling attack, bowled a stunning performance of 3 for 25 in three overs.
This record-breaking effort puts England’s total as the third-highest in T20I history. Zimbabwe scored the most runs ever, 344/4, against Gambia in 2024. Nepal scored the second most runs, 314/3, against Mongolia in 2023.
Highest Totals in T20Is Against a Full Member Team
England against South Africa, Manchester 2025, 304/2
297/6 India vs. Bangladesh, Hyderabad 2024
283/1 India vs. South Africa in Johannesburg in 2024
278/3 Afghanistan vs. Ireland, Dehradun 2019
267/3 England against. West Indies, Tarouba 2023
England’s Highest Individual Scores
Phil Salt vs. South Africa, Manchester 2025, 141*
119 Phil Salt vs. the West Indies in Tarouba in 2023
116* Alex Hales vs. Sri Lanka in Chattogram in 2014
109* Phil Salt vs the West Indies in St. George’s in 2023
The big win not only ties the three-match series at 1-1, but it also sends a powerful statement before the next big competition.