Phil Salt produced a breathtaking, unbeaten 141 his highest T20I score as England piled up a mammoth 304 for 2 against South Africa at Old Trafford on Friday. Jos Buttler complemented Salt’s brilliance with a fiery 83 off just 30 balls, helping construct one of the most dominant batting partnerships England has ever seen in the format. 

Salt’s century was not just big in runs but fast: it marked the fastest T20I century by an English batter, surpassing previous benchmarks with a stunning knock laced with eight sixes and fifteen fours. Buttler’s innings, too, lit up the night his half-century in just 18 balls added weight to England’s assault. 

Facing this imposing total, South Africa’s reply never really took off. Early losses during the powerplay put them on the back foot, and by the eighth over, the chase was slipping away. Skipper Aiden Markram’s 41 could not stem the tide. England’s bowlers led by Jofra Archer (3 for 25), Sam Curran (2 for 11), and late strikes from Will Jacks completed a crushing win by 146 runs, bundling South Africa out in the 17th over. 

For England, the match was a statement: in the lead-up to huge tournaments, nights like this reinforce belief. For South Africa, it was a humble reminder of how quickly momentum can shift. And for fans, it was a norm spectacular display of T20 batting mastery.