England vs South Africa: Live Updates from the Second T20 International
Welcome to live coverage of the second T20 international between England and South Africa at Old Trafford. England are batting first after South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl. This is turning out to be an explosive innings.
England's Record-Breaking Start
England's openers, Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, got off to a blistering start. England reached 100 inside the powerplay overs, their highest ever powerplay score, surpassing the 89/3 they scored against South Africa in Mumbai nine years ago. In the 10th over, England also set a new 10-over men's T20 record, scoring 166-1. This performance marks a particularly dominant display of power hitting.
Buttler's Blistering Innings
Jos Buttler was the first to reach his fifty, achieving the milestone in just 18 balls. He struck several sixes and fours, showcasing an aggressive intent from the start. Buttler was eventually dismissed for a magnificent 83 off 30 balls, including eight fours and seven sixes, caught by Tristan Stubbs off the bowling of Bjorn Fortuin. He received a standing ovation for his quick-fire innings.
Salt's Historic Century
Phil Salt then took over, smashing the fastest-ever England hundred from 39 balls. He reached his fifty from 19 balls. His innings included 13 fours and five sixes. Salt was brutal on Lisaad Williams, taking 20 runs off four legal deliveries in one over. Salt continued his assault, reaching his century in just 39 balls, before eventually being dismissed.
Bethell's Cameo and Brook's Arrival
Jacob Bethell came in after Buttler's dismissal and played a quick cameo, scoring 26 from 14 balls before being caught by Jansen off Fortuin. Bethell hit two majestic straight sixes in one over off Aiden Markram. Following Bethell's dismissal, Harry Brook joined Salt at the crease.
Late Overs and Fortuin's Spell
South Africa's bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught. Fortuin finished with figures of 4-0-52-2, taking the key wickets of Buttler and Bethell. The teenager Kwena Maphaka, despite some early success, was also targeted by the English batsmen.
