Record Obliterated: Salt's Savage 141* Powers England to Historic 304

England have levelled their T20I series against South Africa in the most destructive fashion imaginable, demolishing the visitors by a massive 146 runs after posting a historic total of $304$ for $2$.

The onslaught was led by opener Phil Salt, who blazed his way to an unbeaten $141$ from just 60 balls. His breathtaking knock not only set a new record for the highest individual T20I score by an England player but also included the fastest-ever century for an English batter, reaching the milestone in a mere 39 balls.

The stunning victory ties the series at 1-1, setting up a thrilling winner-takes-all decider on Sunday.

A Brutal Beginning

From the very first over, England signalled their intent on a pitch tailor-made for batting. Salt and captain Jos Buttler unleashed a torrent of boundaries, racing to a century partnership inside the powerplay. Buttler was in a ferocious mood himself, smashing his fastest T20I fifty off just 18 balls before eventually departing for a blistering 83. By the halfway mark of their innings, England had already rocketed to $166$ for $1$.

A Night of Shattered Records

The assault on the record books was relentless. England’s final total was not only their highest ever in T20Is but also the third-highest in the history of the format. Key milestones from the match include:

• England's Total: $304$ for $2$ (Their highest ever, third-highest in T20I history).
• Phil Salt's Score: $141^*$ (New highest for an England player, seventh-highest in T20I history).
• Phil Salt's Century: Reached in 39 balls (The fastest by an England player).
• Boundary Carnage: England struck 30 fours and 18 sixes, scoring 75% of their runs (228) from boundaries alone.

Nightmare for Proteas' Bowlers

For South Africa, it was a comeback to forget for their premier bowlers. Returning from injury, Kagiso Rabada ($0$ for $70$), Lizaad Williams ($0$ for $62$), and Marco Jansen ($0$ for $60$) all recorded some of the most expensive bowling figures in T20I history. A complete lack of discipline compounded their problems, as they conceded eight wides and five no-balls, effectively gifting England two extra overs of attack.

The Impossible Chase

Faced with a mountainous task of scoring at over 15 runs per over, South Africa’s chase was over before it truly began. Despite a fighting $41$ off $20$ balls from Aiden Markram, the Proteas' lineup crumbled under the immense pressure. Jofra Archer was the pick of the England bowlers, claiming figures of $3$ for $25$ as South Africa were bundled out for just $158$.