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.
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In an attempt to get South Africa back into the game, Maphaka changed his approach and started bowling fiery short deliveries targeting Salt’s helmet. However, his new strategy bore no results as Salt pulled the bowler away for three back-to-back boundaries. Maphaka conceded 16 runs in the over. England 166/1 (10)
England vs South Africa Live Score: Salt reaches 50 (19)
Salt continues to unleash his lethal force on the South African bowling line-up. The English batter played beautiful textbook strokes to hit Williams for 2 sixes and 2 fours each, scoring 23 runs in an over for the second time in the game. England 150/1 (9)
Fortuin proves his worthiness by successfully netting the big fish. Buttler tried to put the ball over the leg side through a half-bent sweep, but the ball was caught by Stubbs in a brilliant running catch. England 127/1 (8)
Salt and Buttler continue to power through, determined to clinch victory in their 2nd T20I against South Africa as part of a three-game series. Jansen conceded 12 runs in the over. England 112/0 (7)
Salt and Buttler continue to cut through the South African bowling line-up like a knife through butter. Buttler smacks a huge six over Maphaka to help England reach triple digits by the end of the power play. England 100/0 (6)
Buttler smacks Rabada for four back-to-back boundaries to score 53 of just 28 balls. With this knock, Buttler recorded the third fastest half-century scored in a T20I by an English batter. England 88/0 (5)
Joss Buttler continues to take it out on Rabada as the English opener smacked the South African bowler for four back-to-back boundaries to score 53 of just 28 balls. With this knock, Buttler recorded the third fastest half-century scored in a T20I by an English batter.
Joss Buttler and Phil Salt continue their massacre of the South African bowling line-up. Taking complete advantage of the power play, Salt and Buttler hit Maharaj’s replacement Fortuin for 3 fours and a six. Fortuin conceded 20 runs in the over. England 68/0 (4)
England vs South Africa Live Score, 2nd T20 Match: Salt hits back-to-back sixes
Phil Salt unleashes a brutal assault on William’s maiden over, smashing the bowler’s first two balls for back-to-back sixes. Williams under pressure, gave away two extras and conceded another 2 boundaries from Salt. Williams conceded 23 runs in the over. England 48/0 (3)
Jos Buttler picks up where Salt left off as the opener strikes Rabada’s first ball for a crackling four down the leg side. Rabada conceded four runs in the over. England 25/0 (2)
England vs South Africa Live Score, 2nd T20 Match: Salt smacks Jansen for three back-to-back boundaries
In a dashing display, Salt smacked the first three deliveries of the game for back-to-back boundaries, leaving Jansen perplexed. Salt finished the over with a maximum, giving England a stong start. England 18/0 (1)
The South African team has taken the field, and the England openers walk out to begin proceedings. The conditions are clear, the floodlights have been switched on, and we are ready for live action.
Sam Curran speaks to reporters about his return to the English side. “I was as a bit nervous to come back after 11 months out of the side. It was one of my goals to get back in the England side, so really pleased with that. I think we’ll get a full game tonight and get the series back on track,” Curran told reporters.
England vs South Africa Live Score, 2nd T20 Match: Check England and South Africa’s Playing XI
South Africa (Playing XI): Aiden Markram(c), Ryan Rickelton(w), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Bjorn Fortuin, Kwena Maphaka, Lizaad Williams
England (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook(c), Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Luke Wood, Adil Rashid
England vs South Africa Live Score, 2nd T20 Match: South Africa wins the toss, choses to bowl first
Aiden Markram wins the toss and chooses to bowl first. “The wicket looks a bit different. Hope there’s a bit of moisture in the pitch with a bit of rain around. It’s been busy for both teams, opportunity to play a good game of cricket,” Markam said.
England vs South Africa Live Score, 2nd T20 Match: Match to begin at 11 PM IST
England faces South Africa in the second match of their three-match T20I series. South Africa won the first T20I by 14 runs (DLS method) in a rain-affected match. The match is set to begin at 11:00 PM IST. The toss is scheduled to commence at 10:30 pm.
England vs South Africa Live Score, 2nd T20 Match: Keshav Maharaj to be replaced by Bjorn Fortuin
Some early news from the South Africa camp. Keshav Maharaj, who tweaked his left groin ahead of the Cardiff match, has been ruled out of the rest of the series. Bjorn Fortuin has been named as his replacement
Old Trafford typically produces high-scoring encounters but is not a flat surface. Batters enjoy bounce and carry, yet clever variations from bowlers — slower deliveries and cutters in particular — often reap rewards. While traditionally chasing sides have held the upper hand at Old Trafford, under these wet and humid conditions in Manchester, it could still be anybody’s game.
England vs South Africa Live Score, 2nd T20 Match: Check England and South Africa’s Probable Playing XI
England Predicted Playing XI: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (C), Sam Curran, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid
SA Predicted Playing XI: Aiden Markram (C), Ryan Rickelton (WK), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Corbin Bosch, Kwena Maphaka, Lizaad Williams
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of England’s 2nd T20I against South Africa. The Proteas (South Africa) enter this match with confidence, having secured a victory in the first T20I and also winning the preceding three-match ODI series against England by a 2-1 margin. England will be eager to bounce back to level the series and regain some momentum. Stay tuned here for live updates on and off the field.