Phil Salt Smashes 39-Ball Century, Breaks Record in England’s T20I Win

Manchester (The Uttam Hindu): England’s explosive opener Phil Salt smashed a record-breaking century off just 39 balls against South Africa in the T20I clash at Old Trafford on Friday night. With this knock, Salt entered the record books for the fastest T20I century by an English batsman.

Salt remained unbeaten on a spectacular 141 runs off 60 balls, hitting 15 fours and 8 sixes. He broke the previous record held by Liam Livingstone, who had scored a hundred in 42 balls against Pakistan in Nottingham in 2021.

This innings is now the highest individual score by an England batter in T20 internationals, surpassing Salt’s own previous best of 119 against the West Indies in 2023. Alex Hales (116* vs Sri Lanka, 2014) now stands third on the list.

England, batting first, posted a mammoth 304/2 in 20 overs. Alongside Salt’s fireworks, skipper Jos Buttler blasted 83 off 30 balls with 8 fours and 7 sixes. Contributions also came from Harry Brook (41) and Jacob Bethell (26).

In reply, South Africa crumbled for just 158 in 16.1 overs. Captain Aiden Markram top-scored with 41 (20 balls), while Bjorn Fortuin added 32. England’s bowling attack was led by Jofra Archer (3 wickets), with Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, and Will Jacks picking up two wickets each. With this emphatic win, England leveled the three-match T20I series 1-1. The series decider will be played in Nottingham on September 14.