Following a disappointing start to the series, the England cricket team unleashed their fury on South Africa in the second T20I at Old Trafford, Manchester. The explosive opening duo of Phil Salt and Jos Buttler demolished the South African bowling attack with a barrage of boundaries, including a staggering 18 sixes between them. Salt set a new benchmark by scoring the fastest T20 International century for England, reaching the hundred mark in just 39 balls.

Salt’s innings was a show of dominance and precision—he smashed 141 runs unbeaten off just 60 deliveries, featuring 15 fours and 8 sixes. This effort marked his fourth T20I century for England, making him the only English batsman with more than one century in the format. Salt’s record-breaking century eclipsed the previous fastest England T20I hundred held by his Lancashire teammate Liam Livingstone, who had scored a century in 42 balls against Pakistan in 2021.

Jos Buttler matched the aggression with a blistering 83 runs in only 30 balls, including 7 sixes and 8 fours. Together, Salt and Buttler forged a sensational partnership of 126 runs in just 7.5 overs, setting the stage for England's historic total of 304 runs for 2 wickets. Their relentless assault ensured England crossed the 300-run barrier for the first time in T20 Internationals, creating a new high in the format.

Salt’s rapid 50 came off only 19 balls, and despite Buttler narrowly missing out on his century, their partnership laid the foundation for a record win, crushing South Africa by 146 runs. The innings illustrated why Salt and Buttler are considered among the most dangerous opening pairs in world cricket today.