Salt peppers boundary in dazzling 141 T20 victory

England 304-2 (20 overs); South Africa 158 (16.1 overs)

- RICHARD JOLLY AT OLD TRAFFORD

For much of their history, England could bat for a day in Test cricket and not score 300 runs. Until Eoin Morgan’s revolution a decade ago, they rarely threatened to reach 300 in 50-over

cricket. And then, in a moment that produced a magnificent achievement, Harry Brook nudged a single into the offside. England had scored 300 in 20 overs.

“Three hundred, I never thought I’d see that,” said Jos Buttler, who did more than see it. He contributed a devastating, delightful 83 and was still surpassed as his opening partner, Phil Salt, powered on to 141. England made the third highest score in T20 international cricket but the two biggest came at the expense of the Gambia and Mongolia bowlers respectively. England pulverised South Africa for the second time in a week. After 414 runs in 50 overs in Southampton came 304 in 20 at Old Trafford.

It was a demonstration of brutality and brilliance; Bazball at its best, Buttler at his best, Salt sensational. England can be a wildly inconsistent team but when it goes right, it goes very right. They registered their largest-ever victory in T20s, triumphing by 146 runs. South Africa are level in the series, but had their biggest ever defeat.