England wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt decimated South Africa's bowling attack in the second T20I of the three-match series. The 29-year-old played a stunning knock of 141 runs from 60 deliveries, scoring 15 fours and 8 towering sixes. He was assisted well by Jos Buttler, who also played a fiery inning of 83 runs from just 30 deliveries. Salt and Harry Brook saw the hosts finish their innings on a strong note and post the highest-ever T20I total by a full-member team at 304/2.
Salt broke a plethora of records with this knock. He became the England player to score the fastest T20I century at 39 deliveries and also beat his own record for the highest individual score ever posted by an England player in the history of the shortest format. Salt's previous best score was 119 that he had recorded in 2023.
Salt played the knock in his home ground
What made the hundred against South Africa extra special for Salt was the fact that it came at his home ground of Old Trafford that is located in Manchester. Following the match, the wicketkeeper-batter remarked that he is always looking at ways to get better and added that he wants to be 'the best in the world' at what he is doing.
"I obviously really enjoyed that, especially playing at Old Trafford on my home ground, and it was even more fun with the fact we made 300 plus [304-2] and won in that manner," Salt said after the match.
"I want to take games as deep as possible, while still batting at a high strike rate. That's where I want to be, what I want to be doing as a player. I'm someone who's always looking at ways to get better. The goal is to be right up there. I want to be the best in the world at this. That's the way I approach it," he added.
Coming to the match, Salt and Buttler provided England with a fantastic start and formed a massive opening stand of 126 runs. Though the latter would go on to lose his wicket, the former kept on going and then formed a valuable partnership of 95 runs with Jacob Bethell. Salt and Brook would take England over the 300-run mark in the final over, obliterating the South African bowlers in the process.
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In reply, the Proteas weren't really able to put up a challenge and kept on losing wickets on regular intervals. They would eventually get bundled out for 158 runs with Jofra Archer being the pick of the bowlers and recording figures of 3/25. Sam Curran, Liam Dawson and Will Jacks also contributed well and clinched two scalps each as the Three Lions levelled the series at 1-1 and now the deciding match will be played on September 14 at Trent Bridge.