Phil Salt breaks Liam Livingstone's record by scoring 39-ball hundred against South Africa in 2nd T20I

England wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt played a sensational knock of 141 runs from just 60 deliveries in the 2nd T20I against South Africa. The 29-year-old hit 15 boundaries and 8 sixes in his explosive knock and carried the side to a humongous total of 304/2 after the end of their 20 overs.

Salt returned back to the pavilion unbeaten after breaking his own record of the highest individual score posted by an England batter in the shortest format. Salt easily broke his previous best of 119 and also extended his record as the England player with the most T20I hundreds (4).  

The 39-ball hundred against South Africa also saw Salt become the England batter to score the fastest century in the history of the shortest format. He surpassed the record that was previously held by Liam Livingstone, who had scored a 42-ball ton against Pakistan in 2021.

Here is the list of England players to score the fastest century in T20Is -

1. Phil Salt - 39 deliveries

2. Liam Livingstone - 42 deliveries

3. Dawid Malan - 48 deliveries

4. Phil Salt - 48 deliveries

5. Phil Salt - 53 deliveries

Salt's hundred was nothing short of exceptional and played a key role in England becoming the first full-member team to breach the 300-run mark in a T20I innings. He was assisted well by Jos Buttler (80) and Harry Brook (41*), who also dominated against the South African bowling attack. 

This was Salt's fourth T20I century which again highlighted how important of a player he has become for the Three Lions in the shortest format. He has so far played 45 matches for England in the format, scoring 1334 runs and maintaining an explosive strike-rate of 169.50. He will definitely be looking to maintain his fine form in the series deciding T20I against South Africa that will be contested on September 14 at Trent Bridge.