HIGHLIGHTS England vs South Africa, South Africa in England 3 T20I Series 2025, 2nd T20- Result, Scorecard

Back with the chase! The players of England are out there, and so are the two openers of South Africa, where Aiden Markram will open the innings alongside Ryan Rickelton. ​​​​​​Luke Wood has the new ball in his hands, and he will start the proceedings. Here we go...

... The Run Chase ...

Records broken? Plenty. England smashed their highest-ever T20I total, 304/2, overtaking the 267/3 vs West Indies in 2023. Salt’s 141 not-out is now the highest individual T20I score for England, and he also joined the elite club with four international T20I hundreds. The 200 came up in just 12.1 overs - the fastest ever in T20Is. And their 166/1 after 10 overs is the highest power-packed start any side has ever managed. South Africa are the only team who have conceded 250-plus in T20Is thrice. Also, this is the highest T20I total by a Test-playing nation playing another Test-playing nation.

The finishing touch? By 12.1 overs, England had stormed past 200 - the quickest any team has ever done in T20Is. Salt kept blasting away, breaking his own record with the highest T20I score for England and went unbeaten for 141 in just 60 balls. The skipper, Harry Brook, joined him late and added fuel to the fire, ensuring England crossed the 300-mark with a death-overs carnage. We got to see pure dominance, and South Africa’s bowlers had no answers.

So, what happened with the toss decision? Markram won it, the only thing so far, and bravely chose to bowl first, but soon must have regretted it. England’s openers came out like rockets, as Jos Buttler raced to his 50 in just 18 balls, and Salt took one more ball and completed his fifty in 19 balls. The scoreboard read 100/0 in the Powerplay, and by the time Buttler fell for a blistering 83 off 30, the damage was already severe. Salt didn’t stop there, as he hammered the fastest-ever T20I hundred by an English batter in 39 balls. South Africa tried to fight back when Bjorn Fortuin grabbed two wickets after a poor start, but England’s relentless striking had already set the tone.

BREATHTAKING. BRUTAL. RELENTLESS. What a fiery innings that was from England! Their openers tore into South Africa’s bowlers with no mercy, smashing a gigantic 304/2 in Manchester - the third-highest total ever in T20I history. For South Africa, it was nothing short of a nightmare as their bowlers were taken apart from ball one.

Kagiso Rabada to Harry Brook, This is bowled on a hard length and outside off, Harry Brook reaches out and slaps it over the cover region and into the deep as the batters scurry back for the second run. England end with a monster total of 304/2 on the board!

Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, Low full toss wide of off, Phil Salt fails to get right underneath it and chips this to long off for one.

UNBELIEVABLE! England have done it! 300 is up on the board, and the crowd in Manchester is erupting! The applause is thunderous, and it's a moment to cherish. What a wonderful performance it has been by the English batters.

Kagiso Rabada to Harry Brook, No ball! Another one from Rabada! A full and wide delivery from KG, gets it fairly in the blockhole and Brook manages to jam it out towards point for a single. The 300 comes up for England as Rabada oversteps for the umpteenth time in this game. Free Hit coming up again...

Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, Gets away with it, does Rabada! Full and wide outside off, Salt reaches out and toe-ends it down to long off for a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, SIX! That's been dispatched! A straight full toss from KG, Salt shuffles across to get inside the line and nonchalantly flicks it flat over deep backward square leg for a biggie.

The excitement is building! England's total is in the 290s and the pursuit of 300 is on track, and they need just 8 runs off the last 4 balls. Can Harry Brook and Phil Salt help England achieve this fate? The excitement is palpable!

Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, Slower and outside off, another leg cutter, but this one stays low. Phil Salt looks to cut but misses.

Kagiso Rabada to Harry Brook, No ball! Wow, what has happened to Kagiso Rabada? He's bowling front-foot No Balls for fun. A leg cutter, pitched up outside off, Harry Brook throws his hands at it and gets an outside edge. The ball goes wide of short third, where Kwena Maphaka dives across and gets a hand on it even after the awkward bounce. However, the ball skips behind, and Maphaka has to chase it down. Three runs taken. Also, a Free Hit is coming up...

Kagiso Rabada to Harry Brook, FOUR! Scythed away! Fractionally short but well outside off, Harry Brook hangs back before cutting it hard and behind point to start the final over with a boundary.

Marco Jansen to Harry Brook, Good bowling! Short nd right at the batter, Brook is taken by surprise as he tries to pull and gets a top edge that goes off the body and into the off side. They get a single.

Marco Jansen to Harry Brook, Excellent save in the deep! Banged in short and outside off, Harry Brook throws his hands at it and gets a top edge that goes fine of deep third. Tristan Stubbs runs to his left and puts in a big lunge to save a couple of runs for his side.

Marco Jansen to Harry Brook, Full and wide again, Harry Brook looks to fetch and play it leg side but gets an inside edge as the ball rolls behind to the keeper.

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, Very full and in the blockhole outside off, this is jammed across to deep mid-wicket for just a single.

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, SIX! Oh, that will hurt the Proteas! Jansen dishes out a low full toss, angling it across off. Phil Salt gets low and flat-bats it towards deep mid-wicket. Kwena Maphaka backtracks and takes a fine catch right on the ropes, but he quickly realises that he is on the verge of going over and lobs the ball back up. He does well to come back in and dive to take the catch. However, it is checked by the third umpire, and replays show that Maphaka's heel was on the ropes before he threw the ball back in.

Is that SIX or OUT? Kwena Maphaka at the deep mid-wicket fence isn't looking all that confident, and even at first look, it seemed he had contacted the boundary cushion with the ball in his hands. The umpires are checking the replay, and it's confirmed - Kwena Maphaka's foot touched the boundary cushion while trying to catch the ball, so it's officially SIX runs! The crowd is going wild!

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, SIX! Right in the slot and just what Phil Salt would have wanted to get going again. Length ball on the off stump, Salt clears the front leg and slam-dunks it over long off for a biggie.

Kwena Maphaka to Harry Brook, A quick and skiddy bumper over the leg stump, Harry Brook looks to pull it down to fine leg but is beaten.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, In the air but it will fall safely and with that single, Phil Salt breaks his own record of the highest individual T20I score by an English batter. Short ball, right at the batter, Salt gets hurried and checks the pull shot, mistiming it in front of square leg for a single.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, Takes pace off again, a back-of-the-hand delivery, angled across the off stump. Salt miscues the lofted shot over covers and picks up a couple of runs.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, Wide! A bit slower and short but a bit too straight as this is spilled down the leg side for a wide.

Kwena Maphaka to Harry Brook, Good length on leg, Maphaka is just trying to cramp up the batters and so far, it's working in this over. Brook looks to play the lap sweep again but gets it off the toe end of the bat towards mid-wicket for a run.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, Pitched up around the pads, Phil Salt looks to pick it up over deep backward square leg but gets it off the leading edge and down to long on for just a single.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, A slower short ball around off, Phil Salt rolls his wrists over the ball and pulls it down in front of square for a couple of runs.

Lizaad Williams to Phil Salt, Salt will feel he's missed out here! A full toss, wide outside off, Salt fetches it and toe-ends it down to wide long on for a single.

Lizaad Williams to Phil Salt, An ultra-rare dot ball! Slower delivery, bowled full and wide outside off and in the blockhole. Salt fails to dig it out.

Lizaad Williams to Harry Brook, Slower one, into the pitch and outside off. Brook stays put, picks it up and pulls it flat to wide long on for a single.

Lizaad Williams to Harry Brook, SIX! Unbelievable stuff! Good length pushed across the off stump, Harry Brook brings out the falling sweep again and bundles over as he manages to scoop it high up behind square leg. The wind eventually takes it sailing over the fielder in the deep and Lizaad Williams has conceded 60 runs in the 15 legal deliveries he has bowled so far.

Lizaad Williams to Harry Brook, FOUR! Harry Brook is starting to fire now and up comes the 250 for England in just 16.2 overs. Williams misses the yorker by a few inches and Brook just pummels the low full toss, flat back over the bowler's head for a one-bounce boundary.

Lizaad Williams to Harry Brook, FOUR! Streaky! Full and wide outside off, Harry Brook opens the face of the blade to drive it square on the off side but is late on it and the ball gets skewed off the outside edge, past short third for a boundary.

Lizaad Williams is back in the attack, and he's going to be crucial for England's pursuit of 300. Having already conceded 46 runs in his 2 overs, the pressure is on him to turn things around. This could be the turning point - can he deliver the breakthroughs South Africa need to slow England down and keep them from reaching that 300 mark?

Marco Jansen to Harry Brook, A wide yorker, on point and Brook jams it out into the off side for a single.

Marco Jansen to Harry Brook, FOUR! Harry Brook persists with the falling scoop and this time, he does get the desired result as well. A length ball at the stumps, angled across, Brook shuffles across but gets tangled up as he looks to scoop it away. However, he managed to take one hand off the blade and which allows him to manoeuvre the ball past short fine leg for a boundary.

Marco Jansen to Harry Brook, FOUR! Much better from Brook on this occasion. Length ball outside off, Brook extends his arms and hammers it over covers for a boundary.

Marco Jansen to Harry Brook, Slower one, bowled full and wide outside off. Brook looks to drive it away but is comprehensively beaten.

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, Fuller in length again, angled across the right-hander, Salt swats it across the line and towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, FOUR! Quick and full, but on leg stump, Phil Salt gets a tickle on it and the ball races away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Bjorn Fortuin to Harry Brook, Well, that's an interesting choice of shot from Harry Brook and South Africa burn a review as well. This is bowled relatively full and darted just down leg. Brook tries to play the falling sweep but falls over and fails to lay a bat on it. Ryan Rickelton whips off the bails and the Proteas appeal. It is given as just a fair delivery, but the review is taken, and there is nothing on UltraEdge, nor is there any contact with the pads. NOT OUT!

Bjorn Fortuin to Harry Brook, Dragged length outside off, Brook forces it from the crease but straight to covers.

Bjorn Fortuin to Phil Salt, TWO WIDES! Lobbed up full and well down the leg side. The keeper fails to collect it cleanly and England get an extra run as well.

Bjorn Fortuin to Phil Salt, FOUR! Nicely done by Salt! This is tossed up wide outside off, Phil Salt seems to have picked it up late but actually, he waited back really well and cut it through backward point for a boundary.

Bjorn Fortuin to Harry Brook, Fired in, full and towards the pads. Brook looks to make room leg side but gets cramped and gets an inside edge off the pads in front of square leg. Just a single.

Bjorn Fortuin to Harry Brook, Bowls it flatter on off, Harry Brook wrists it through mid-wicket and calls for two right away. Both batters put their heads down and scamper back with ease.

Will it be Harry Brook or will we see Will Jacks being promoted? England have decided to go with Brook as the next batter in.

Bjorn Fortuin to Jacob Bethell, OUT! CAUGHT! Smart bowling from Bjorn Fortuin. Risky to bring on the left-arm spinner to the left-hander but Fortuin floats the ball up wide of the off stump. Jacob Bethell wants to play the lofted shot down the ground but has to reach for it and hits it high up and back over the bowler's head. Marco Jansen at long off, moves to his left and takes the skier nicely. Bethell departs for 26 (14) and England are now 221/2!

Kwena Maphaka to Jacob Bethell, Only five off the over! On a length and outside off, JB slaps it towards extra cover and takes a single more. England are 221/1 after 14 overs.

Kwena Maphaka to Jacob Bethell, BEATEN! Short of a length and outside off, Jacob Bethell hangs back and looks to play an upper cut off late but gets beaten on the outside edge. So far, this has been has been an excellent over from Maphaka.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, Just a single on the freebie! Short of a lengtha and outside off, Salt gets across and pulls it down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, Short of a length and angling away, just outside off, Phil Salt gets across, deep in his crease, and looks to pull it at first, but then decides to sway away from it as he gets cramped. Ouch... another NO BALL for overstepping. A Free-Hit to follow next...

Kwena Maphaka to Jacob Bethell, Another change of pace delivery, on a length and outside off, Jacob opens his stance and smacks it but straight to long off for a single only.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, Lands it full and outside off, sliced away off the outer half of the bat to deep backward point for one. Salt wants another but is sent back.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, A swing and a miss! Slower delivery, full and outside off, Phil Salt goes deep in his crease, makes a good base for himself and swings over it but gets deceived by the lack of pace on it.

Kagiso Rabada to Jacob Bethell, FOUR MORE! 216/1 on the board after 13 overs. Back of a length and outside off, Jacob Bethell shuffles across and carves it over backward point. The ball rolls away into the deep backward point fence for a boundary.

Kagiso Rabada to Jacob Bethell, Rabada fires in a well-directed yorker, around middle, Bethell all manages to drill it back to the bowler.

Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, Short of a length and wide outside off, Salt throws his hands at it but mistimes his shot over covers. Luckily for him, the ball lands in the gap and they take a single.

Phil Salt is UNBELIEVABLE! He's brought up his century in just 39 balls, and it's also the FASTEST T20I hundred for England! What an innings, Salt is still going strongly.

Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, WIDE! Back of a length but wide outside off, Salt lets it go. Called a wide.

Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, HUNDRED FOR PHIL SALT IN JUST 39 BALLS! A low full toss, around middle, Salt muscles it towards deep mid-wicket and picks up two runs to complete his milestone. This is the fastest T20I hundred for any England batter. What a knock this has been from Salt.

Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, Very full and around off, Salt drills it back to the bowler. Uh-oh, Kagiso Rabada has overstepped again and it is called a NO BALL! A Free-Hit to follow again.

Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, EDGED AND FOUR! Nothing is going in favour of South Africa. On a length and wide outside off, Phil Salt shuffles across, throws his hands to cut it, but gets an outside edge that flies through the gap between the keeper and short third for a boundary. Salt is on 99.

Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, WIDE! Pressure! Pressure! Full but wide outside the tramline on the off side. Salt shuffles but leaves it. Called a wide.

Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, SIX! FULL USE OF THE FREEBIE! Full and outside off, Phil Salt gets it in his radar as he shuffles across and belts it over the wide long on fence for a biggie. 200 comes up for England in just 12.1 overs.

Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, Hard length and outside off, Salt stands tall and punches it to the right of sweeper cover and picks up two runs. Good running between the wickets! Uh-oh, Kagiso Rabada has overstepped and it is called a NO BALL. A Free-Hit is coming up.

Aiden Markram to Jacob Bethell, SIX MORE! WHAT A STRIKE! Full, in the slot, around middle, Jacob Bethell clears out his front leg and thumps it over the long on fence for another biggie. 19 off the over.

Aiden Markram to Jacob Bethell, SIX! STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW! Full and around middle, Jacob Bethell sits down again and slogs it straight down the ground over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Aiden Markram to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! SHOT! Full and on the pads, Jacob Bethell gets down on one knees, picks it up as he extends his forearms forward and sweeps it to the right of short fine for a boundary.

Aiden Markram to Phil Salt, Full and drifting in, around middle, Salt flicks it through mid-wicket for one more.

Aiden Markram to Jacob Bethell, Nagging length and wide outside off, Jacob hangs back and slaps it to deep cover for a single more.

Aiden Markram to Phil Salt, Short and around middle, eased down to long on for a single.

Bjorn Fortuin to Phil Salt, Flatter, full and on the pads, nudged away towards backward square leg for a single more. Probably, the first over which hasn't gone for a boundary.

Bjorn Fortuin to Phil Salt, Two more! Full and wide outside off, Salt slaps it through extra covers and registers two more in his tally.

Bjorn Fortuin to Phil Salt, Slower and fuller, outside off, Salt throws his hands at it but gets an outside edge that rolls away to the left of short third. Two runs taken again.

Bjorn Fortuin to Phil Salt, Tossed it up and outside off, Phil Salt crunches it through covers and picks up two runs.

Bjorn Fortuin to Jacob Bethell, Pitches it up and around off, knocked down to long on for a single.

Bjorn Fortuin to Jacob Bethell, Full and wide outside off, Jacob reaches out and drills it towards cover.

DRINKS! What are we watching? Just a ball blazing as England have scored 166 for the loss of one wicket in just the first ten overs. They are well set to break every record here in a single inning. Could we see a 300? It is very much possible as Phil Salt is looking ominous. Both openers, Salt and Jos Buttler, went on a rampage from the first ball, and Buttler departed after a blistering inning of 83 runs in just 30 balls. Meanwhile, the bowlers of South Africa don't have any answers as they are just trying to stop the run flow, but haven't been successful so far. Let's see how much England end up as they bat deep.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, FOUR! A gentle chip, and it has sailed away to the fence for four runs. Back of a length onto the pads, Phil Salt hops up on his toes and flicks this over backward square leg for four runs.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, Slower one, full and wide outside off, Phil Salt gets down on a knee and goes for the slog sweep but misses out.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, FOUR! This could have hurt Kwena Maphaka badly had he gotten any part of his body behind this. Back of a length around off, Phil Salt settles right behind it and smashes this down the ground past the left of Kwena Maphaka for a boundary. This almost cleared out the bowler.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries. Short and down leg, Phil Salt helps this with the pace and hits this wide to the right of short fine leg for four runs.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, FOUR! Just a dot and we are back to normalcy. Slower one, around middle and leg, Phil Salt flicks this towards short fine leg and finds another boundary.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, Spicy from the young Protea pacer. Bumper, around leg. Phil Salt ducks down.

Lizaad Williams to Phil Salt, That's exactly where the bowlers need to bowl. Too full, under the bat of Salt, but he still manages to flick this to deep mid-wicket for one.

Lizaad Williams to Phil Salt, FOUR! South African bowlers just can not catch a break. On a length around middle and off, not that bad a delivery, but Salt is in such form. Phil moves to his off and slogs this on the bounce and over wide of long on for a four.

Lizaad Williams to Phil Salt, SIX! 11th six off the English innings already. Full toss wide outside off, Phil Salt stands and delivers as he opens up his arms and smashes this up and over the deep cover fence for a biggie. Phil Salt moves to 57(20).

Lizaad Williams to Phil Salt, FOUR! FIFTY COMES UP FOR SALT! Lizaad pitches it up around off, Phil Salt strides to the pitch of the delivery and smashes this all along the ground past the diving mid off fielder to his left for a boundary to bring up his half-century off just 19 balls. An impressive inning from Salt.

Lizaad Williams to Phil Salt, WIDE! Full toss wide outside off, Phil Salt swings and misses. Wided.

Lizaad Williams to Phil Salt, SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! Phil Salt continues the onslaught as he clears the fence once again. Back of a length around off, Phil Salt shuffles across to his off and pulls this over the deep square leg region for six more.

Lizaad Williams to Jacob Bethell, Short and wide outside off, Jos Buttler cuts this through backward point for a single.

Change. Lizaad Williams (1-0-23-0) returns to the attack.

Bjorn Fortuin to Jacob Bethell, Floated wide of off, Jacob Bethell drives this to long off to open his account with a single.

Jacob Bethell is in at 3.

Bjorn Fortuin to Jos Buttler, OUT! CAUGHT! Some respite for South Africa as Jos Buttler departs after a blistering knock of 83(30). Too full and wide down the leg, Jos Buttler tries to paddle this, but plays this uppish and hits this straight to Tristan Stubbs at the deep backward square leg fence. Tristan Stubbs overran it for a moment but did well to adjust and grab this one around his chest. England are 126/1.

Bjorn Fortuin to Phil Salt, Darted on the pads, Phil Salt punches this down to long on for one.

Bjorn Fortuin to Jos Buttler, Fired wide outside off, probably destined for a wide, but Jos Buttler reaches at it and punches this through cover for one.

Bjorn Fortuin to Jos Buttler, SIX! Even the mishits are travelling the distance. Floated onto the pads, Jos Buttler slog sweeps this up and over the fielder at deep square for six.

Bjorn Fortuin to Jos Buttler, SIX! Boundaries are coming thick and fast for England, and are we in for 300? Premature to say that, but the way these two are going, that's not far. Slower and around middle and leg, Jos Buttler slogs this right out of the middle of his bat and clears the cow corner fence for a six.

Another change. Bjorn Fortuin (1-0-20-0) returns to the attack.

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, Full and wide outside off, Phil Salt slices this towards backward point for no run.

Marco Jansen to Jos Buttler, In the air... and safe. On a length around off, Jos Buttler chips this just in front of long on and takes one.

Marco Jansen to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Another one finds the gap and races to the fence for four. Short-pitched, around off, Jos Buttler stays leg side and smashes this right between the mid off and the extra cover fielder for four more.

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, On a length around middle and leg, Phil Salt gently nudges this through mid-wicket and settles for one.

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, SIX! Well, the fielding restriction doesn't matter if you can hit in such a manner. Back of a length around off, Phil Salt shuffles across to his off and pulls this over towards the deep square leg region for six runs.

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, Back of a length around off, Phil Salt opens the face of his bat and guides this to point for a dot.

Change and a breather for South Africa. Marco Jansen is back in the attack. 1-0-18-0 so far.

Kwena Maphaka to Jos Buttler, On a length around middle and leg, Jos Buttler thumps this to mid on for no run. 100 off the first 6 overs. PHEW!

Kwena Maphaka to Jos Buttler, SIX! BOUNDARIES GALORE! Over-pitched, around middle and leg, Jos gives himself a bit of room by shifting to his leg and slogs this up and over the fence at long on for a huge six to bring up 100 inside the Powerplay.

Kwena Maphaka to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Easy pickings for a batter of Buttler's quality. Short-pitched, wide of off, Jos Buttler moves a shade to his leg and punts this up and over the fielder at extra cover for a boundary.

Kwena Maphaka to Jos Buttler, Back of a length around off, Jos Buttler jumps down the track and attempts a flat-batted jab but misses out.

Kwena Maphaka to Phil Salt, On a length around the pads, Phil Salt flicks this gently towards backward square leg and takes one. Both Salt and Jos ran the first hard, but the fielder quickly went after the ball, and the batters settled for one.

Kwena Maphaka to Jos Buttler, Back of a length, shaping away from the batter outside off. Jos Buttler guides this to the left of point and takes one.

Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, Slower, on a length and around middle, swiped away to deep square leg for a single. England are 88/0 with one over still to go for the Powerplay.

Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, FOUR! FIFTY FOR BUTTLER IN JUST 18 BALLS! Back of a length and around middle, Jos Buttler swivels and pulls it down to deep backward square leg for a boundary to complete his milestone. An impressive knock of the highest order as he has thrashed the South African bowlers all over the ground so far and would be targeting to score a hundred here.

Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, FOUR MORE! Short of a length and around middle, Jos Buttler backs away but gets into an awkward position as he tries to pull it. Gets it off the toe end of the bat and the ball goes uppishly towards mid on. where the fielder dives to his right but the ball evades him and races away to the boundary.

Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Not where he intended it to be but Jos wouldn't mind at all. Short of a length and outside off with pace taken off. Jos Buttler backs away and looks to loft it over covers. But ends up slicing it off the upper half of the bat over cover point for a boundary.

Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, SIX! SMOKED! Full and around off, Jos Buttler clears out his front leg and belts it down the ground over the long on fence for a biggie.

Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, Hard length and a bit outside off, Salt taps it with soft hands towards backward point and takes a quick single.

England's openers, Jos Buttler and Phil Salt, have gotten off to a blistering start, smashing 68 runs off the first 4 overs and putting South Africa on the back foot. The Proteas are struggling to contain the English batting duo's aggression, and it looks like they're already fighting an uphill battle.

Bjorn Fortuin to Jos Buttler, FOUR! A replica of the last shot. Touch short and around middle, Jos Buttler backs away and muscles it over extra covers for another boundary. England are 68/0 in just four overs.

Bjorn Fortuin to Jos Buttler, FOUR MORE! It is proving another expensive over for South Africa. Fuller and around mJos Buttler makes room and lofts it inside out over covers for a boundary.

Bjorn Fortuin to Jos Buttler, SIX! WOW! Both openers are on a rampage! Slower and fuller, down leg as Bjorn tries to follow the batter. Jos Buttler backs away, uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and launches it down the ground for a biggie.

Bjorn Fortuin to Phil Salt, Quicker and flatter, full outside off, Salt drills it towards mid off and sneaks a quick single.

Bjorn Fortuin to Phil Salt, FOUR! BLUDGEONED! Much shorter and around middle, Phil Salt presses back and smashes it over the mid-wicket fielder for a boundary. The pitch seems to be a belter.

Bjorn Fortuin to Jos Buttler, Begins with a short ball, around middle, Buttler backs away and punches it to the right of mid off, who makes a fumble and they cross.

Spin into action as Bjorn Fortuin comes into the attack.

Lizaad Williams to Phil Salt, EDGED AND FOUR! A big first over for Lizaad Williams, who conceded 23 runs. Back of a length and outside off, shaping away. Phil Salt throws his hands at it and looks to punch it off the back foot but gets an outside edge that races away past the keeper to his right for a boundary. Williams looks frustrated.

Lizaad Williams to Phil Salt, FOUR! EASY PICKINGS! On a good length and angling down leg, Phil Salt presses back and helps its on its way with a pull shot to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Lizaad Williams to Jos Buttler, On a length and around middle, swiped away to deep square leg for a single.

Lizaad Williams to Jos Buttler, WIDE AGAIN! Lizaad Williams seems to be in pressure as he bowls it fuller but wide outside the tramline on the off side. Jos leaves it. Called a wide.

Lizaad Williams to Jos Buttler, WIDE! Lizaad dugs in short, but it goes over the head of the batter. Jos Buttler uses his feet and looks to pull at first, but he decides to leave it in the end. Called a wide for the height.

Lizaad Williams to Jos Buttler, Nagging length and around middle and leg, Jos backs away and mistimes his shot to mid on. It seems to be a slower delivery.

Lizaad Williams to Jos Buttler, SIX MORE! WHAT A STRIKE! Lizaad goes fuller and around middle, but Jos Buttler uses his feet, gets to the pitch of the ball, and smokes it down the ground over the bowler's head for another biggie.

Lizaad Williams to Jos Buttler, SIX! BELTED! Hard length and over off, sitting up nicely for the batter. Jos Buttler presses back, gets on top of the bounce of the ball and deposits it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Lizaad Williams replaces Marco Jansen (1-0-18-0).

Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, Hard length and around middle, Jos rises with the bounce and tucks it to the right of mid-wicket for one more. England are 25 in the first two overs.

Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, A good bouncer from Rabada, around off, Jos Buttler sways away from it.

Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, Nagging length and angling in, around middle, Buttler uses his wrists and turns it towards mid-wicket. Salt wants a single but Jos sends him back.

Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, In the air... but falls down safe! Full and around middle, angling in, Jos Buttler tries to slog it without any footwork and mistimes it off the inside half of the bat. The ball goes up in the air and clears the mid-wicket fielder. Two runs taken.

Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, Back of a length and over off, Buttler hops back and punches it to extra cover.

Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Jos Buttler joins the party! On a length and outside off, Jos rises with the bounce and opens his bat face very late to guide it through the gap between first slip and short third for a boundary.

Kagiso Rabada will bowl from the other end.

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, SIX! GONE! First of the match and England are off to a flyer as 18 have come off the first over. Full and around off, Phil Salt clears out his front leg and thumps it straight down the ground for a biggie. The third umpire is called in to have a boundary check and he confirms it a six.

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, Back of a length and over middle, shaping back in, Phil tries to defend it but gets hit on the gloves. He drops his wrists in pain.

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, Good length on middle and leg, Phil Salt stands still and punches this to mid on for no run.

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, FOUR! A hat trick of boundaries from Phil Salt. Full and around middle, Salt plants his front leg forward and belts it straight back towards the bowler. Jansen tries to stop it with his left hand but the ball evades him and races away to the long on fence for another boundary.

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, FOUR MORE! Marco overcorrects and bowls it fuller but on the pads, Phil Salt gets inside the line and flicks it to the right of short fine leg for another boundary.

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, FOUR! England and Phil Salt are underway straightaway in some fashion! On a length and outside off, Salt throws his hands and looks to loft it over covers. But ends up slicing it off the outer half of the bat and the ball goes over cover point for a boundary.

The stage is set at Old Trafford in Manchester, where England is gearing up to face South Africa in the second T20I match of the series. The electric atmosphere is palpable, especially with the highly anticipated Manchester Derby in the English Premier League just around the corner this weekend. England's Jos Buttler and Phil Salt are ready to take on the South African bowlers, with Marco Jansen standing at his mark, poised to deliver the first ball and kick-start the proceedings.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Aiden Markram (C), Ryan Rickelton (WK), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Bjorn Fortuin (In place of Corbin Bosch), Kwena Maphaka, and Lizaad Williams.

England (Playing XI) - Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (C), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer (In place of Jamie Overton), Adil Rashid, and Luke Wood.

TOSS - South Africa win the toss and their skipper, Aiden Markram, has elected to BOWL first.

Meanwhile, in the fourth match of the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai, Oman's bowlers performed well in the first innings, but Pakistan's decision to promote Mohammad Haris to number three proved effective as he played an impressive 66-run innings. However, Pakistan's middle order collapsed, losing a couple of wickets in a cluster, which ultimately restricted their total to 160/7. Aamir Kaleem and Shah Faisal picked three wickets each, while Shakeel Ahmed was economical with only giving just 17 runs in his four overs. In their chase, Oman started positively with some good boundaries, but a surprising move to bring on part-timer Saim Ayub proved to be a masterstroke for Pakistan as he struck twice inside the Powerplay, leaving Oman in a tough position at 27/2 at the end of the fourth over.

On the flip side, South Africa's solid performance in the first game was led by Donovan Ferreira, Dewald Brevis and Aiden Markram, who contributed crucial runs. Brevis continued his impressive form from the ODIs with a quickfire 23 off 10 balls, while Markram smashed 28 off 14 balls. With Nandre Burger joining the squad, South Africa's bowling attack looks even more formidable. To clinch the series, they'll need to maintain their momentum, particularly in the powerplay overs, and effectively handle England's batting lineup. Will the Proteas clinch the series, or will the hosts level it with a game to spare? Let's find out. Stay tuned for toss and team updates.

England's batting lineup faced significant challenges in the first game, with key wickets falling early. Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, and Harry Brook failed to make a substantial impact, while Jos Buttler shone with a quick 25 off 11 balls. Sam Curran remained unbeaten on 10 off 3 balls. To bounce back, England needs to refine their batting strategy, build meaningful partnerships, and improve shot selection.

The second T20I match between England and South Africa is set to be an intense encounter at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester. South Africa currently leads the three-match series by 1-0 after a thrilling win in the series opener, where they defeated England by 14 runs via the DLS method.

... MATCHDAY ...

England will look to level the series in the second T20I at Manchester, having fallen 1-0 after a rain-affected opener. The home side showed glimpses of their potential, with Jos Buttler’s 25 off 11 and a flurry of intent from the top order. Rain curtailed the first game, setting a 69-run DLS target from 5 overs, and England managed 54 for 5. The hosts will need to convert small moments into a coherent innings, with the middle and lower order contributing more consistently to earlier totals in this format. England’s batting depth remains a notable strength. Philip Salt, Harry Brook, and Jacob Bethell provide aggressive options at the top and middle, while Sam Curran and Tom Banton add ballast to the order. If one of the latter trio can anchor an over or two, England could accelerate through the middle overs and post a more competitive total. The recalled Jofra Archer adds pace variety if selected, though his form and fitness will influence selection decisions. Adil Rashid’s form with the ball gives England a trusted spin option, with the host attack also relying on the left-arm variation and all-round capabilities of Liam Dawson and Curran to tighten the middle overs. South Africa arrive buoyant after a dominant opener, where their batting looked balanced and their bowlers executed plans with precision. Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton anchored the innings, while Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs supplied the late-innings explosiveness that keeps pressure on the fielding side. Brevis, in particular, has shown he can shift momentum rapidly, a trait that can unsettle England’s bowlers. On the bowling front, Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch each claimed two wickets, while Kagiso Rabada’s edge remains fearsome for England’s top order. Kwena Maphaka and Lizaad Williams provide additional depth and variation to keep the chase honest. Jansen and Bosch’s ability to strike early in the innings will test England’s top-order resilience, while South Africa’s lower-middle order has shown the capacity to finish games with Brevis and Stubbs at the crease. If England can stabilise early and squeeze the middle overs, they have the firepower to defend of chase a modest total and if South Africa continue their disciplined performance, they could seal the series with another composed display. This surely promises to be a cracking contest.