England registered a 146-run win in the second T20I at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Friday, September 12, to draw level in the three-match series against South Africa. This turned out to be England's biggest winning margin by runs. They also handed South Africa their biggest defeat by runs.
Local heroes Phil Salt and Jos Buttler decimated the South African bowling lineup after Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to field first on a flat deck. While Salt set the tone by hitting three fours and a six off the first over, bowled by Marco Jansen, Buttler was the more destructive batter inside the powerplay, helping England bring up their 100 in six overs.
Bjorn Fortuin dismissed Buttler in the eighth over after he had amassed 83 off just 30 balls, belting eight fours and seven sixes. Jacob Bethell walked in at No. 3 and played second fiddle to Salt, who brought up the fastest century in terms of balls faced 39. England captain Harry Brook threw his bat around after Bethell was sent packing for a 14-ball 26. Brook finished unbeaten on 41 off 21 balls. Meanwhile, Salt smashed 141 not out off 60 balls, belting 15 fours and eight sixes.