England Became First Test Nation To Breach 300 In T20I. England made history at Old Trafford, becoming the first Test-playing nation to surpass 300 runs in a T20 International, with an astonishing 304 for 2 against South Africa in the second T20I of the series.
Salt and Buttler Power England
Phil Salt was the highlight of the match, scoring a record-breaking 141 not out off 60 balls, including 14 sixes. Captain Jos Buttler provided blistering support with a quick-fire 83 off 30 balls. This helped lead England to 100 runs in the powerplay and 200 runs by just the 13th over. Salt’s hundred off 39 balls was the fastest ever T20I century by an England player.
This mammoth score broke many records: England’s highest T20I total, the fastest 200 by a Test nation (12.1 overs), their highest ever 10-over score (166/1), and the first time that a men’s T20I game between two full members had ever surpassed the 300 barrier—pushing the format into uncharted territory.
South Africa Left Stunned
South Africa, stunned by the assault, collapsed in their reply. They could only score 158 all out from 16.1 overs, which handed England a massive choke of a 146-run victory—which is one of the biggest wins in T20I history. England’s bowlers, spearheaded by Jofra Archer and Sam Curran, ensured the visitors were never close.
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Not only did the win square the series 1-1, but it also provided a new benchmark for T20 cricket, which, for England to have set the record, will make teams think again about everyone’s batting depth and bowling structures going forward into cricket 2025—as scores of 300 are no longer impossible. With the decider being at Nottingham, England, it has changed the way fans look at T20 internationals.
