By Tim Douglas 
England rewrote T20I history in Cardiff, piling up 304/2 – the highest total by a Full Member nation – before crushing South Africa by 146 runs in the second T20I.
The match quickly turned into a run-fest of historic proportions. England’s top order, led by Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, unleashed a ferocious assault that shredded the Proteas attack and left fans gasping at the scale of destruction.
England Cross the 300 Barrier
This was only the third time in men’s T20Is that a team crossed the 300-run mark. Zimbabwe’s 344/4 against Gambia in 2024 remains the record, with Nepal’s 314/3 against Mongolia in 2023 second on the list. But among Test-playing nations, England now lead the chart, overtaking India’s 297/6 against Bangladesh in 2024.
Salt’s career-best 141* from just 60 balls was the centerpiece. The innings included 11 sixes and 9 fours, with his century arriving in 39 deliveries – the fastest by an Englishman in T20Is. It eclipsed Liam Livingstone’s record and showcased Salt’s evolution into one of the format’s most feared openers.
Buttler was no bystander. The England skipper struck 58 from 21 balls, racing to a half-century in 18 deliveries – the third-fastest by an England player. Together, the opening pair added 126 runs in under eight overs, propelling England to an astonishing 100 inside the Powerplay.
Records Tumble
- England’s 304/2: Highest T20I total by a Full Member nation.
- Phil Salt’s 141:* Highest individual T20I score by an England batter.
- 39-ball ton: Fastest T20I century by an England player.
- 146-run margin: England’s biggest win in T20Is; South Africa’s heaviest defeat.
South Africa Crumble Under Pressure
Tasked with chasing 305, South Africa never looked in contention. They were bowled out for 158, undone by scoreboard pressure and England’s returning pace attack. Kagiso Rabada briefly counter-punched with a 21-ball cameo, but the top order collapsed around him.
The contrast in intent was stark. While England ran riot, South Africa lost their first two wickets inside three overs and never recovered. England’s bowlers tightened the screws, ensuring the record-setting total was matched by a record-setting victory margin.
Series Setup
The emphatic win levels the three-match series 1-1, setting up a blockbuster decider at Trent Bridge on 14 September. England’s display was not just about numbers; it was a statement ahead of a packed T20 calendar leading into the 2026 World Cup.
Brief Scores
England 304/2 (Salt 141*, Buttler 58, Brook 42*)
South Africa 158 all out (Rabada 27, Markram 22; Rashid 3/27, Topley 2/19)
Result: England won by 146 runs
Player of the Match: Phil Salt (141* off 60)
Victoria Hamilton