Cricket fans at Old Trafford witnessed a spectacle on September 12, 2025, as England stormed back into their T20I series against South Africa with a record-shattering victory. After a rain-soaked opener in Cardiff that saw England fall short via the DLS method, the hosts came out swinging in Manchester, determined to keep their series hopes alive. And what a statement they made!
Trailing 1-0 after losing the first T20I by 14 runs, England knew they had to deliver in this must-win clash. The team, led by captain Harry Brook, fielded a lineup stacked with explosive talent: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Luke Wood, and Adil Rashid. South Africa, captained by Aiden Markram, countered with their own formidable squad, including wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton, Kagiso Rabada, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, and a host of others eager to seal the series.
The toss, held at 10:30 PM IST, proved pivotal. Markram later admitted, "We probably started getting it wrong from the toss, so that one's on me." England seized the initiative immediately, with the match starting at 11:00 PM IST under the floodlights and the expectant eyes of a capacity crowd. The stakes couldn’t have been higher, especially after England's narrow defeat in the rain-affected first match, where they managed 54/5 in five overs while South Africa had earlier posted 97/5 in 7.5 overs.
From the first ball, it was clear England meant business. Phil Salt, playing on his home ground, unleashed one of the most breathtaking innings in T20I history. He blazed his way to an unbeaten 141 off just 60 deliveries, peppering the boundary ropes with 15 fours and sending the ball soaring over the ropes eight times. His hundred, reached in a mere 39 balls, set a new benchmark for English T20I cricket— the fastest ever by an England player in the format.
Salt’s knock wasn’t just about personal milestones. It set the tone for England’s biggest-ever T20I total, a staggering 304-2. The opening partnership between Salt and Jos Buttler was a masterclass in aggressive, calculated batting, amassing 126 runs before Buttler’s dismissal. South Africa’s bowlers, particularly Bjorn Fortuin who claimed both wickets for 52 runs, simply couldn’t stem the tide.
Speaking after his record-breaking performance, Salt was characteristically ambitious yet grounded. "I obviously really enjoyed that, especially playing at Old Trafford on my home ground, and it was even more fun with the fact we made 300 plus [304-2] and won in that manner," he said. "I want to take games as deep as possible, while still batting at a high strike rate. That's where I want to be, what I want to be doing as a player. I'm someone who's always looking at ways to get better. The goal is to be right up there. I want to be the best in the world at this. That's the way I approach it."
England’s relentless aggression didn’t stop with the bat. Their bowlers came out with equal intent, dismantling the South African lineup and never allowing them a foothold in the chase. Jofra Archer, making his presence felt once again, finished with impressive figures of 3-25. Sam Curran chipped in with 2-11, while Liam Dawson (2-34) and Will Jacks (2-2) kept the pressure on. South Africa’s reply never really got out of first gear, with captain Aiden Markram top-scoring with 41, but wickets tumbled at regular intervals and the target quickly became a distant dream.
Markram, reflecting on the defeat, was candid in his assessment. "Two masterclasses up front from them, and when you're put under that amount of pressure, it's tough to come back. We'll have to come up with some good plans and take it on again on Sunday," he stated, alluding to the series decider set for September 14 at Trent Bridge.
The scale of England’s victory was historic. Not only did they level the series 1-1 with a 146-run demolition— their largest margin of victory in T20Is— but they also handed South Africa their heaviest defeat in the format. The crowd at Old Trafford roared as records tumbled, sensing they were witnessing something special. For Salt, the performance was the culmination of hard work and a reflection of England’s fearless approach to the shortest format.
"Playing for England, the mentality that we've had from when I started playing under [Eoin] Morgan to now, we're always trying to push things forward, always trying to take the next step in the game. [Friday] was one of those steps. It's exciting to be part of a group that is always looking to push those boundaries," Salt explained, highlighting the team’s commitment to innovation and improvement.
The match was broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed via Sonyliv and FanCode in India, ensuring fans across the globe could follow every twist and turn. The result also brought a sense of redemption for England, who had not only lost the first T20I but had also been edged out 2-1 in the preceding ODI series against the Proteas. With the series now balanced, anticipation for the final match at Trent Bridge is sky-high.
South Africa, for their part, will be eager to regroup. Markram’s leadership and the experience of players like Kagiso Rabada, Dewald Brevis, and Tristan Stubbs will be crucial as they look to bounce back. England, meanwhile, will hope Salt can maintain his form and that their bowlers continue to fire on all cylinders.
As the teams prepare for the decisive encounter, one thing is certain: this T20I series has delivered drama, records, and unforgettable moments. With the scoreline locked and everything to play for, Sunday’s showdown at Trent Bridge promises to be a fitting finale to an enthralling battle between two cricketing heavyweights.
For now, England can savor a night where everything clicked, history was made, and the series came alive in spectacular fashion. The cricket world will be watching closely to see who seizes the moment next.
