Manchester, Sep 13 (UNI) England opener Phil Salt produced a record-breaking innings in a T20 International clash against South Africa, scoring an unbeaten 141 off 60 balls to set a new benchmark for the highest individual T20I score by an England player.
The milestone came with a single off Kwena Maphaka’s 125 km/h delivery outside off, surpassing Salt’s previous best of 120 not out against South Africa in Manchester earlier in 2025.
Salt’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive strokeplay, featuring 15 fours and 8 sixes, at a strike rate of 235.00.
England as a team smashed 48 boundaries (30 fours and 18 sixes), marking the second most boundaries in a T20I innings behind Zimbabwe’s 57 against Gambia in Nairobi in 2024. The team posted a colossal total of 304 for 2 in 20 overs, their highest against a Full Member side, eclipsing their previous record of 267 for 3 against West Indies in Tarouba in 2023.
The innings places England among the highest-scoring teams in T20I history. Top totals against Full Member teams include India’s 297 for 6 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in 2024, India’s 283 for 1 against South Africa in Joburg in 2024, and Afghanistan’s 278 for 3 against Ireland in Dehradun in 2019.
Considering all T20Is, England’s 304 for 2 ranks third, behind Zimbabwe’s 344 for 4 against Gambia in Nairobi in 2024 and Nepal’s 314 for 3 against Mongolia in Hangzhou in 2023.
Salt’s performance builds on his growing legacy in England’s T20 history. Other notable individual scores for England include Alex Hales’ 116 not out against Sri Lanka in Chattogram in 2014 and Salt’s 119 against West Indies in Tarouba in 2023, highlighting his dominance in the format.
Commentators praised Salt for his combination of power and placement, which allowed him to dominate bowlers and maintain momentum throughout the innings. England’s explosive batting has put them in a commanding position, giving them both the psychological edge and scoreboard advantage in this match.
This performance not only broke multiple records but also highlighted England’s potential to set new standards in T20 cricket.
