England vs South Africa (ENG vs SA) 2nd T20I Match Today Highlights: The English team pulled an incredible all-round performance to achieve a historic victory over South Africa on Friday. The English batting line-up went all the way today to record a massive target of 305 for South Africa. In a Phil Salt special, England became the third team to ever record a target of more than 300 runs in a T20 international.
The English team pulled off an incredible feat on Friday to achieve the nation’s highest-ever T20I total, their biggest win, and South Africa’s heaviest defeat. The result was never in much doubt after Phil Salt and Jos Buttler’s free-wheeling batting took England past 300, but their bowlers have dotted the Is and crossed the Ts to get the job done. Three wickets for Archer, two each for Curran, Dawson and Jacks, and one for Rashid. Markram got South Africa off to a decent start, and Fortuin had some runs towards the end, but they were never really in the contest. The series stands at 1-1 ahead of a decider on Sunday at Trent Bridge.
Phil Salt takes a bow
Phil Salt received the player of the match award for his record-breaking innings of 141* (68). Salt broke multiple records to smash an incredible ton on Friday. With this iconic knock, Salt broke his own record of 117* against the West Indies to again become the English batter with the highest individual score in T20Is. In an Iconic feat, Salt also broke Liam Livingstone’s record (42) for the fastest T20I century by an English batter, by reaching the milestone in just 39 balls. Salt’s score of 101 (39) also received a much-deserved standing ovation at Old Trafford.
England overpowers South Africa to level the series 1-1
Despite Markram, Stubbs, Fotuin and Ferreira’s impressive efforts, South Africa registered its heaviest defeat on Friday. South African bowlers struggled to contain the English batters from the start as Jos Buttler and Phil Salt built an opening partnership of 126 runs in just 7.6 overs. Lizaad Williams, with an economy of 20.66, proved to be the most expensive bowler for South Africa today as the pacer conceded 23 runs in his first two overs. Fortuin proved to be a vital replacement for Keshav Maharaj today as the bowler took down two important wickets, including those of Buttler and Bethell. With a much-needed victory, England has levelled the T20I series 1-1. The final match for England vs South Africa T20I series will take place on September 14, 2025, at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
Stay tuned to this space for the latest updates from the ground
England broke through several records today to mark one of the biggest T20 international upsets in the history of the game. Some of the records made by English players today have been listed as follows:
1) 304-2 England’s highest T20I total
2) 100-0 England’s highest Powerplay score
3) 141* Phil Salt made England’s highest individual T20 score
4) 146 runs England’s biggest T20I victory
England vs South Africa Live Updates: Phil Salt recieves the player of the match award
Phil Salt received the player of the match award for his record-breaking innings of 141* (68). Salt broke multiple records to smash an incredible ton on Friday. With this iconic knock, Salt broke Liam Livingstone's record (42) for the fastest T20I century by an English batter, reaching the milestone in just 39 balls.
England vs South Africa Live Score: Dawson takes out Rabada, England wins the game by 146 runs
Dawson takes out Rabada to wrap up the game. England makes T20 history as they win the game by the highest margin ever recorded of 146 runs. Brook's men took on the challenge and sealed an important victory to level the series 1-1. The final match for England vs South Africa T20I series will take place on September 14, 2025, at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. South Africa 158/10 (16.1)
In a stunning display of smart bowling, Jacks took out two important wickets back-to-back, diminishing South Africa's hope of survival. Fortuin, who tried to belt the ball to the stands, was caught on over mid-wicket by Jos Buttler. Fortuin was followed by Maphaka, who went out for a golden duck as he bludgeoned the ball into the air and was caught out by Bethell just over extra cover. Jacks conceded only 2 runs in the over. South Africa 158/9 (16)
England vs South Africa Live Score: Fortuin hits 4 boundaries in a row!
Offering a glimmer of hope to South African fans, Fortuin came to the field determined to make a difference. The South African all-rounder unleashed a fury of shots all around to the field to smack Rashid for four consecutive boundaries, which included 2 sixes. South Africa 156/7 (15)
The English team celebrates with smiles all around as they substantially increase their odds of winning the game by taking down Stubbs. Stubbs scored 23 of 25 balls before getting caught out by Archer just under the 30-yard circle. Rabada follows Stubbs on the pitch and smacks Dawson for two back-to-back boundaries. South Africa 135/7 (14)
England vs South Africa Live Score: Rashid bowls an impressive over
Rashid manages to contain Fortuin and Stubbs to concede only 3 runs in the over. South Africa 120/6 (13)
In an amazing display of agility, Archer reacted quickly to trap Jansen in a brilliant caught and bowled. Things look dismal for South Africa as they stare at a steep required run rate of 23.5. Fortuin follows Jancen on the pitch. Archer conceded only 2 runs in the over. South Africa 117/6 (12)
England vs South Africa Live Score: Curran picks up another wicket
Curran delivers another critical blow to South Africa by taking down the fiery Donovan Ferreira, who had been causing trouble for England. Ferreira scored an impressive 23 of just 11 balls, maintaining a solid strike rate above 200. Ferreira was followed by Jansen on the crease. South Africa 115/5 (11)
England vs South Africa Live Score: Ferreira thrashes Rashid all over the ground
In a stunning display of wit and talented stroke play, Ferreira blasted Rashid's deliveries all over the ground to score 20 runs in the over. Thanks to Ferreira's fearless play, South Africa reaches 100 just in time. South Africa 109/4 (10)
England vs South Africa Live Score: Stubbs keeps hope alive for SA
Determined to go the distance, Stubbs smashed a maximum over Dawson. Ferreira, who replaced Markram on the pitch, picks up a neat single at the last ball of the over to retain the strike. South Africa 89/4 (9)
England vs South Africa Live Score: Markram goes down after scoring an impressive 41 of 20
Rashid took advantage of Markram's greed to set the Skipper up. Markram attempted to belt a ball pitched just outside the leg stump to the stand, but ended up mistiming the ball in the air, only for it to be caught by Jack. England took out probably one of the most important wickets of the game, diminishing hopes of South Africa's survival. Rashid conceded only 4 runs in the over. South Africa 79/4 (8)
In a monster hit that captivated the attention of everyone on the field, Markram struck Dawson right down the ground to hit the biggest six of the night. The ball went right over the stands to land in the camera gantry. Dawson conceded 9 runs in the over. South Africa 75/3 (7)
England vs South Africa Live Score: Wood bowls an impressive over
Markram makes some big swings but struggles to score a boundary over Wood. Stubbs and Markram continue to rate the strike to pile up runs. Wood conceded 8 runs in the over. South Africa 66/3 (6)
England vs South Africa Live Score: Sam Curran takes out Brevis
Much to the delight of English fans, Sam Curran took out an important wicket of batter Brevis to land another critical blow to South Africa. Brevis has been replaced by Stubbs on the field. Curran conceded only 5 runs in the over. South Africa 58/3 (5)
Archer sets up Pretorius and Ryan perfectly to wrap up an expensive over with two big wickets. Ryan smashed Archer for 2 sixes and a four before getting caught out by Dawson. South Africa 53/2 (4)
Determined to take on the challenge, Makram smashed two huge sixes over Wood in the third over of the game. The South African skipper was given a crucial lifeline during this spell by Archer, who dropped a tough running catch after Markram mistimed a good length ball. South Africa 34/0 (3)
England vs South Africa Live Score: Archer bowls an impressive over
Archer bowls his first over in the ongoing T20I series between South Africa and England. Ryan was only able to put his bat behind one of Archer's balls. Archer conceded only 4 runs in his first over. South Africa 12/0 (2)
Determined to make the most of the power play overs, Makram struck Wood for a huge six down the ground on his second ball. Wood conceded 8 runs in the over. South Africa faces a tough required run rate of 15.6 as they begin what many may term as a near-impossible chase. South Africa 8/0 (1)
England vs South Africa Live Score: England wraps up the inning at 304-2
Phil Salt and Brook smoke Rabada to usher England to a massive total of 304 for 2. England sets up a mighty impressive target for South Africa. England 304/2 (20)
England vs South Africa Live Score: England reaches 300!
Phil Salt smokes Rabada for a six to usher England to a massive total of 300. With just two balls left to conclude the first inning, England has set up a hard target for South Africa.
England vs South Africa Live Score: Boundry line catch gone wrong
Jansen's hopes went up when Mahapaka caught a ball hit by Salt very close to the boundary line. However, a review called by the third umpire revealed that the heel of Mahapaka's shoe touched the boundary line while the ball was still in his hand, prompting the on-field umpire to signal a six. Salt marches on to 133. England 284/2 (19)
Phil Salt pulled Mahapaka away for a single to reach 120, marking the new highest individual score recorded by an English batter in a T20I. Mahapaka conceded 8 runs in the over. England 268/2 (18)
Brooks gave all the English fans a spectacle to enjoy as the skipper played some bold shots all over the leg side to thrash Williams for two back-to-back sixes. The game marks a tough run for Williams, who was hit for 62 runs in just three runs. England 260/2 (17)
England vs South Africa Live Score: Brook scores two consecutive fours
English skipper catches up to Phil Slat as the batter opens up his shoulders to hit Jansen for back-to-back fours. Jansen conceded 14 runs in the over. England 244/2 (16)
Bethell goes down at 26 after he mistimed a good-length ball delivered by Fortuin. Fortuin takes his second wicket for the game. Bethell was followed by the English skipper Harry Brook on the pitch. Fortuin conceded only 9 runs in the over. England 230/2 (15)
England vs South Africa Live Score: Maphaka bowls an impressive over
Despite giving away a free hit, Mapahak managed to bowl one of the most economical overs of the game, conceding only 5 runs during his spell. England 221/1 (14)
Salt and Bethell continue to showcase a wide variety of cricketing shots to keep the South African bowling line-up on edge. Salt scores 101 of 39 balls, receiving a much-deserved standing ovation at the Old Trafford. England 216/1 (13)
Bethell follows in the footsteps of his predecessor, Buttler, to score two huge sixes over Makram. Bethell went down the ground to strike the ball hard into the air, delivering it straight to the fans. Makram conceded 19 runs in the over. England 193/1 (12)
England vs South Africa Live Score: Makram tightens fielding to conatin Salt
After a flurry of boundaries, much to the relief of Makram, South Africa experienced the first over of the game that did not record any boundaries. Fortuin bowled one of the most economical overs of the match so far. England 174/1 (11)