Salt Storm Blows South Africa Away as England Smash Record Total
PHIL Salt lit up Old Trafford with one of the most brutal T20I innings ever seen, hammering 141 not out from just 60 balls, as England crushed South Africa by 146 runs to level the three-match series 1-1 on Friday in Manchester.
Salt and captain Jos Buttler turned the opening powerplay into a fireworks show. Buttler blazed to 50 from only 18 deliveries, eventually smashing 83 from 30 balls with eight fours and seven sixes. The pair added 126 runs in under eight overs, sending the crowd into a frenzy and South Africa’s bowlers into despair.
Salt carried on the assault, racing to a century from just 39 balls, punishing anything loose with 15 fours and eight towering sixes. He found more support from Jacob Bethell, who struck a brisk 26, before Harry Brook joined him to close out the innings with 41 not out. England finished on a record 304 for two, their highest ever T20I score, at a scarcely believable run rate of 15.2.
South Africa needed something miraculous, but Jofra Archer made sure the chase never took off. He dismissed Ryan Rickelton and Lhuan-dre Pretorius in quick succession before returning to claim Marco Jansen. Sam Curran chipped in with two wickets, while Liam Dawson and Will Jacks struck twice apiece as the Proteas folded for 158 in 16.1 overs.
There were brief sparks from Aiden Markram, who hit 41 from 20 balls, and Bjorn Fortuin’s 32 off 16 down the order, but it was never going to be enough against the mountain England had set.
