South Africa vs England T20 Scorecard – Record 304/2 and Series Decider

England rewrote the record books in the second T20 International against South Africa at Manchester, amassing 304 for 2 to register their highest total in the format. The innings, built around a stunning 141 not out from Phil Salt, powered the hosts to a 146-run victory and levelled the three-match series at 1-1 after the opening fixture was washed out.

The match on 12 July 2025 produced the highest aggregate in any T20I between the two sides, with England’s boundary count alone—228 runs from 30 fours and 18 sixes—exceeding what many teams manage in a full innings. South Africa, chasing a mammoth target, were bowled out for 158 in 18.4 overs, handing England their biggest win in T20Is by runs.

The series, part of South Africa’s tour of England, now heads to Southampton for a decisive third T20I. With the scoreline locked at one win each and one match abandoned, the final fixture will determine which side takes the series.

What is the England vs South Africa T20 304 scorecard?

The complete scorecard from the 2nd T20I, as recorded by ESPNcricinfo, shows England’s innings in full detail. Phil Salt struck 141 not out off 56 deliveries, reaching his century in 39 balls—the fastest T20I hundred by an England batter. Jos Buttler contributed 83 from 47, and the pair added 143 runs for the second wicket after Will Jacks fell early.

• England’s 304/2 is the highest T20I score ever posted against South Africa, surpassing Australia’s 221/5 in 2020.
• Phil Salt’s 141* is the highest individual score by any batter in England–South Africa T20Is, breaking his own previous record.
• England struck 228 runs in boundaries (30 fours, 18 sixes), accounting for approximately 75% of the total.
• The 146-run margin of victory is England’s largest in T20I cricket.
• South Africa’s chase of 305 was their largest run chase attempt in T20Is; they were bowled out for 158.
• The 2nd T20I produced the highest match aggregate (462 runs) in any England–South Africa T20I.
• The 1st T20I in Cardiff was abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain, leaving the series with an unusual scoreline.

When is the next South Africa vs England match?

The third and deciding T20I of the series is scheduled for 14 July 2025 at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton. Both teams will be aiming for a series win after the 2nd T20I restored parity in the contest following the rain-affected opener.

Is there a South Africa vs England match today?

The next fixture is the 3rd T20I on 14 July. If today’s date is earlier than that, no match is currently being played. For real-time updates on whether a match is happening today, the official England Cricket Board website and ICC fixtures page provide the most reliable schedule information.

Where can I watch South Africa vs England live?

In the United Kingdom, all matches of the series are broadcast on Sky Sports, the official broadcast partner. In South Africa, rights are held by SuperSport. Digital streaming is also available through the ICC’s global platform in certain regions.

What is the schedule for the 2025 T20 series?

The series consists of three T20Is played across three English cities. After the abandoned match in Cardiff and the record-breaking fixture in Manchester, the series concludes in Southampton. No further T20Is between the two sides are currently scheduled beyond this series, though both teams also feature in the ICC Champions Trophy, where they may meet in a different format.

What is the highest T20I score between England and South Africa?

The highest team total in England–South Africa T20Is is England’s 304 for 2, achieved in Manchester on 12 July 2025. This total is also the third-highest in all men’s T20I history, trailing only Nepal’s 314/3 against Mongolia in 2023 and Zimbabwe’s 286/5 against Gambia in 2024.

Has any team scored 300+ in England vs South Africa T20Is?

Before the 2nd T20I in 2025, no team had reached 300 in this fixture. The previous highest total was England’s 218 for 4 in 2012, also set at Manchester. South Africa’s highest against England remains 214 for 2 in 2016 in Delhi, during a World T20 match.

What is the biggest win margin in this rivalry?

England’s 146-run victory in the 2nd T20I is the largest margin of victory by runs in any England–South Africa T20I. It also stands as England’s biggest win in all T20I cricket, surpassing their previous best of 137 runs against the West Indies in 2019.

Who holds the record for most runs in an innings?

Phil Salt’s 141 not out in the 2nd T20I is the highest individual score in this bilateral rivalry. He surpassed his own record of 119, which he had set against the West Indies in 2023. The previous highest in England–South Africa T20Is was Jos Buttler’s 80 not out in 2017.

What happened in the 2025 T20 series between England and South Africa?

The three-match T20I series began on 10 July 2025 in Cardiff, where persistent rain prevented a single ball from being bowled. The match was officially abandoned without a result, leaving both teams with a point and the series still wide open.

How did the 1st T20I in Cardiff end?

The opening fixture was called off without any play. According to the official scorecard on Sky Sports, the match was abandoned due to rain, with no toss even possible. This is recorded as a no-result in the series standings, contributing to the uncertainty around which team would take the lead.

How did the 2nd T20I in Manchester unfold?

England won the toss and elected to bat on what was described as a belter of a track. Phil Salt and Jos Buttler dismantled the South African bowling attack, with Salt reaching his century off 39 balls. England finished on 304 for 2, with 228 runs coming from boundaries. South Africa’s response never gained momentum; Aiden Markram top-scored with 41, and Jofra Archer finished with 3 for 25 as England bowled them out for 158.

What is the status of the 3rd T20I?

The third and final match is scheduled for 14 July 2025 at Southampton. With the series tied after two matches—one abandoned and one won by England—the outcome of this game will decide the winner. Both teams have named full-strength squads, and the ECB has confirmed the venue is expected to have good weather.

What is the timeline of the England vs South Africa T20 series 2025?

The following timeline summarises the key events of the series so far, along with one important historical reference that places the record in context.

1. 10 July 2025 – 1st T20I at Cardiff: abandoned due to rain, no result. (Source: ESPNcricinfo)
2. 12 July 2025 – 2nd T20I at Manchester: England 304/2 beat South Africa 158 all out by 146 runs. Records set for highest team total, fastest England T20I century (Phil Salt, 39 balls), and biggest win margin. (Source: Sky Sports)
3. 14 July 2025 – 3rd T20I at Southampton: scheduled, will decide the series winner. (Source: ECB)
4. Historical reference – Previous highest team total in this rivalry before 2025: England 218/4 in 2012, also at Manchester. (Source: ESPNcricinfo)

What is certain and what remains unclear about this series?

Not all aspects of the series are fully settled. While the official scorecard for the 2nd T20I is definitive, there are elements that carry uncertainty—particularly around the abandoned opener and the still-unplayed third match.

Why does this match matter beyond the scoreline?

England’s innings in the 2nd T20I broke the record for the highest T20I score by any team against South Africa, surpassing Australia’s 221 for 5 in 2020. The partnership between Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, which added 143 runs for the second wicket, set up a total that felt out of reach from the start of South Africa’s reply.

South Africa’s top order struggled to keep up with the required rate, losing early wickets to Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid. Aiden Markram’s 41 was the only innings of note, but the target proved insurmountable. The result completely reset the tone of the series after South Africa had entered the match with confidence from the rain-affected opener.

The series now carries significant momentum into the final T20I, with England aiming to seal a series win on home soil and South Africa looking to level the contest. The match at Southampton will be the decider, and both teams are expected to field their strongest available XIs.

Where do the official sources and verified information come from?

The primary source for the scorecard and match statistics is ESPNcricinfo, which provides the most detailed and authoritative match reporting for international cricket. Their coverage includes full batting and bowling figures, fall of wickets, and session-by-session analysis.

“England’s 304/2 is the third-highest total in men’s T20I history and the highest ever against South Africa. Phil Salt’s 141 not out, off 56 balls, is the highest individual score by an England batter in T20Is.”

– ESPNcricinfo match report, July 2025

The Sky Sports scorecard offers an official-style summary verified by the broadcast partner, while the England Cricket Board provides the schedule, team news, and confirmed venue information. For South African team perspectives and travel guidance, Cricket South Africa is the official source.

“The 2nd T20I saw the highest aggregate score in any England–South Africa T20 match, with 462 runs scored across both innings.”

– Sky Sports, match summary

The International Cricket Council’s website (ICC) tracks global rankings and fixtures across all formats, providing context for where this series fits within the broader international calendar.

What does this mean for the series and for fans looking ahead?

The 2025 T20 series between England and South Africa remains finely poised after two contrasting matches. The 1st T20I was written off by rain, while the 2nd produced one of the most dominant batting displays in the format’s history. The 3rd T20I at Southampton will decide the series, and both teams have everything to play for.

For fans following the England vs South Africa 2nd T20I 2025 – Match Scorecard & Records, this article will be updated with the result of the final match once it is confirmed. The scorecard from the 2nd T20I stands as the definitive record of England’s record-breaking performance.

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