England reached 300 for the first time in a T20 as Phil Salt’s record-breaking 141 not out carried them to 304 for two in their bid to level their three-match series against South Africa.
Salt’s 119 underpinned England’s previous best score of 267 for three in Trinidad in December 2023 and the big-hitting opener took centre stage once more on his home ground of Emirates Old Trafford.
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He was dismissed for a golden duck and dropped a catch in a rain-affected series opener as England fell 1-0 down in Cardiff on Wednesday but Salt bounced back in style in a stunning 60-ball knock featuring 15 fours and eight sixes.
His fourth T20 ton came off 39 deliveries and was the quickest in any format by an England batter – relegating Liam Livingstone’s 42-ball innings against Pakistan at Trent Bridge in 2021 into second place.
Jos Buttler initially turbocharged England’s innings with 83 off just 30 balls in a 126-run stand with Salt off just 7.5 overs while Jacob Bethell (26) and captain Harry Brook (41no) made fine cameos.
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All six of South Africa’s bowlers had an economy rate into double figures, with Lizaad Williams leaking 62 off three overs while left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin was the only one to make inroads, snaring Buttler and Bethell to catches in the deep.
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