Salt's fastest England century fuels 304 to level SA series

Phil Salt scorched the Old Trafford boundary ropes as England posted 304 for two and crushed South Africa by 146 runs on Friday to level their three-match Twenty20 international series. Salt finished unbeaten on 141 off 60 balls, completing what team and match reports described as the fastest T20 century by an England batter in 39 deliveries, while Jos Buttler’s 83 from 30 delivered a blistering opening stand that set the tone for a record night.

England reached 100 in the six over powerplay and never looked back, finishing with 30 fours and 18 sixes. Buttler and Salt put on 126 for the first wicket inside 7.5 overs before Buttler was caught at deep square leg. Salt then accelerated through the middle overs, his fourth T20 international century for England, and pushed the hosts past their previous best T20 total of 267. The 304 for two is the highest T20 international total by two Test nations and, according to match records, the third highest in men's T20 internationals overall.

Salt’s innings included 15 fours and eight sixes. He also survived one near-miss when a long-on fielder stepped on the boundary while completing a catch, and England reached 300 in the final over after...