ENG WON
T20
ENG beat SA by 146 runs
Man of the Match - Phil Salt
ENG
304-2
20.0/20 Ovrs
 
158-10
16.1/20 Ovrs
SA
South Africa in England, 3 T20I Series, 2025 |2nd T20I |9/12/2025
Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester
Commentary
  • Right then, that’s a wrap from this absolute run-fest, where England demolished South Africa to level the series 1-1. All eyes now turn to the decider - the 3rd T20I at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on 14th September, Sunday, starting at 1.30 pm GMT. As always, we’ll be here with all the build-up and coverage leading into the clash. Until then, goodbye and take care!
  • Harry Brook, the victorious skipper of England, says that he was left speechless by the phenomenal start given by the opening batters. He and Jos Buttler were amazed out in the field while fielding, thinking 300 is something not many teams can get in T20Is, but with their talented batting lineup, they believed it was achievable. Brook emphasises that every game leading up to the T20 World Cup is a must-win, considering it is excellent preparation for the team. He adds that the team's mindset is to win every single time they step onto the field. Brook also acknowledges that tough decisions lie ahead, but the team is ready for the challenge, and he is excited to debate and make selections from their talented pool of players.
  • Aiden Markram, the captain of South Africa, acknowledges that it was a tough night for South Africa, admitting that the team got it wrong from the toss onwards, taking full responsibility for the loss. He praises England's top order for delivering masterclasses, noting that it was always a challenge to come back from such a strong start. Markram emphasises the need for better planning and execution for the next match on Sunday, stating that the team would review and refine their approach. He also highlights the modern game's nature, where good wickets and aggressive batting make it tough to contain opponents in their 'hot zones'. The Proteas captain also mentions the tour's busy schedule as a factor.
  • Phil Salt is adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his impressive match-winning hundred. He says that it was really good fun out in the middle. Acknowledges the personal milestone but stresses that putting up 300 on the board and then winning by such a big margin was the most satisfying part. Talking about his approach, he explains that fast starts are often about reacting to the situation, sometimes choosing the right moment to press harder, and it’s always a bit of a balancing act. On the surface, he notes that everyone knows it’s a good wicket, and he was very clear that making the most of the Powerplay would be crucial. As for beating Liam Livingstone’s record, he jokes that he doesn’t want to rub it in, especially since his teammate has a big day coming up.
  • Presentation Time...
  • Harry Brook and his men knew they had plenty of runs to defend, allowing the bowlers to operate with freedom and even experiment a bit. Jofra Archer continued his fine form with an impressive three-wicket haul, while Sam Curran, thriving on his return to England colours, added two. Adil Rashid was surprisingly a touch expensive but still picked up one, while Will Jacks chipped in with two, and Liam Dawson wrapped things up in style with a couple of wickets of his own.
  • Earlier in the game, England produced a batting masterclass, smashing their highest-ever total in T20Is on the back of a sensational 141 from Phil Salt - the highest individual score by an England batter in the format. Jos Buttler added to South Africa’s misery with a blistering 83, while Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook cashed in as well to push the total to a staggering 304. With such a mammoth score conceded, there’s little to celebrate for the Proteas’ bowling unit, though Bjorn Fortuin did manage to claim a couple of wickets in an otherwise forgettable outing.
  • Chasing 305 was always going to be an uphill task, and while Aiden Markram’s blazing 41 off 20 and a few big hits from Ryan Rickelton gave South Africa a bright start, their challenge quickly fizzled out once both fell. Brief cameos from the likes of Donovan Ferreira and Bjorn Fortuin offered some resistance, but it was nowhere near enough. Under the pressure of such a towering target, only two batters managed to cross 30, which tells the story of their collapse. They were eventually bundled out for 158, suffering a crushing 146-run defeat - their heaviest loss in this format.
  • If anyone needs a definition of dominance, this scorecard says it all. After losing the ODI series and the first T20I, England roared back to level the T20I series with their biggest-ever win in the format by a margin of runs. The outcome was virtually sealed after their explosive batting display, and the bowlers ensured South Africa never even got a sniff. The Proteas simply failed to show up and were brushed aside in ruthless fashion - this is a defeat that will sting for a long time.
  • 16.1
    W
    Liam Dawson to Kagiso Rabada, OUT! CAUGHT! DONE AND DUSTED! England have registered their biggest victory, while this is also the biggest defeat for South Africa in T20Is, both in terms of runs. Plenty of records have been broken in the match. A bit shorter and outside off, Kagiso Rabada uses his feet and looks to go for a lofted shot over covers, but ends up mistiming it off the toe end of the bat towards backward point, where Jofra Archer runs across to his left from short third and takes another catch around his chest. England beat South Africa by 146 runs in the second T20I to keep the 3-match series alive at 1-1, going into the third match.
  • END OF OVER 16 | 2 Runs & 3 Wkt | SA 158/9
  • 15.6
    0
    Will Jacks to Lizaad Williams, Short and outside off, Williams drills it down the ground towards mid off.
  • 15.5
    0
    Will Jacks to Lizaad Williams, No hat trick for Will Jacks. Full and around middle and leg, Lizaad Williams brings his bat down and jams it out to the left of the bowler.
  • Lizaad Williams walks out last. He'll be facing the hat-trick delivery. A leg slip and a slip in place for him. 
  • 15.4
    W
    Will Jacks to Kwena Maphaka, OUT! CAUGHT! Another perishes, and Will Jacks will be on a hat trick on the next ball. He tosses it up, around middle, Kwena Maphaka changes his stance and grip to attempt a reverse-sweep on his first ball, but ends up miscuing it off the upper half of the bat. The ball lobs up towards cover, where Jacob Bethell leaps and takes the catch above his head. South Africa are 158/9.
  • Kwena Maphaka walks out next.
  • 15.3
    W
    Will Jacks to Bjorn Fortuin, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A simple catch for Jos Buttler and South Africa lose their eighth! Jacks bowls it fuller from around the wicket and keeps it way outside off. Bjorn Fortuin gets down on one knee and looks to fetch out with a slog-sweep, but mistimes it off the toe end of the bat. The ball skies up beside the pitch on the leg side, and Buttler calls for the catch from behind the wickets and pouches it around his chest. South Africa are 158/8.
  • 15.2
    1
    Will Jacks to Kagiso Rabada, Quicker, full and around middle, belted down the ground to the right of long on for a singl by KG.
  • 15.1
    1
    Will Jacks to Bjorn Fortuin, Full and outside off, slogged away to deep mid-wicket for a single.
  • END OF OVER 15 | 21 Runs & 0 Wkt | SA 156/7
  • 14.6
    1
    Adil Rashid to Bjorn Fortuin, Short and turning into the batter, around middle, knocked down to long on for a single.
  • 14.5
    0
    Adil Rashid to Bjorn Fortuin, Slower and fuller, around middle, Bjorn looks to sweep it but gets an inside edge onto his front pad.
  • 14.4
    6
    Adil Rashid to Bjorn Fortuin, SIX! This is good entertainment! Full and around middle, Bjorn Fortuin gets down on his knees and slog-sweeps it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.
  • 14.3
    4
    Adil Rashid to Bjorn Fortuin, FOUR! Fortuin is playing all over the ground! Short and down leg as Rashid sees Bjorn Fortuin changing his stance. But Bjorn adjusts his shot and manages to loft it through a reverse-paddle over short third for another boundary.
  • 14.2
    6
    Adil Rashid to Bjorn Fortuin, SIX NOW! Full and around middle, Bjorn Fortuin sits down on one knee, opens his stance, and deposits it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.