England Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard – Record 304 and Series Draw
The three-match T20I series between England and South Africa in September 2025 delivered both record-breaking batting and the frustration of rain-affected fixtures. Matches were played in Cardiff, Manchester and Nottingham, with the series ending in a 1-1 draw after the final match was abandoned without a ball bowled. The most remarkable moment came in Manchester, where England posted the highest total in T20I history.
South Africa claimed the opening match under the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method in a shortened contest. England responded with a crushing 146-run victory in the second T20I, powered by Phil Salt’s unbeaten 141. The decider in Nottingham was washed out, leaving both sides to share the trophy.
What is the England vs South Africa T20I match scorecard?
Latest Match Scorecard
2nd T20I: England 304/2 (20 overs) beat South Africa 158 (16.1 overs) by 146 runs. Phil Salt 141*, Jos Buttler 83.
Series Schedule
Three matches: 1st T20I Cardiff (10 Sep), 2nd T20I Manchester, 3rd T20I Nottingham (14 Sep). Rain impacted both the first and third matches.
Top Performers
Phil Salt (141* off 60 balls in 2nd T20I), Jos Buttler (83 off 30), Kagiso Rabada (early wicket in 1st T20I).
Head-to-Head T20I Record
England and South Africa level at 1-1 in this series. Historical head-to-head (pre-2025) favoured England with approximately 20 wins to South Africa’s 10 in over 40 matches.
- England’s 304/2 is the highest T20I total ever recorded.
- The 146-run win in Manchester is the largest margin of victory in men’s T20I history.
- Phil Salt’s 141* included 15 fours and 8 sixes at a strike rate of 235.
- Jos Buttler’s 83 from 30 balls featured 8 fours and 7 sixes.
- Rain forced the 1st T20I to be reduced to 7.5 overs per side, with South Africa winning by DLS.
- The 3rd T20I at Trent Bridge was abandoned with no toss or play due to a “soggy afternoon”.
- No Player of the Series was awarded because of the drawn result.
| Match | Date | Venue | Result | Top Scorer | Best Bowler (notable) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | September 10, 2025 | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff | South Africa won by 14 runs (DLS method) | — | Kagiso Rabada (dismissed Phil Salt) |
| 2nd T20I | Post-1st T20I | Old Trafford, Manchester | England won by 146 runs | Phil Salt 141* | Jofra Archer (final wicket) |
| 3rd T20I | September 14, 2025 | Trent Bridge, Nottingham | No result (rain) | — | — |
Which England vs South Africa T20 match saw 300+ runs?
The second T20I at Old Trafford saw England amass 304/2 in their 20 overs, the highest total ever recorded in men’s T20I cricket. It surpassed the previous record held by Nepal (314/3 against Mongolia in 2023).
England’s record total of 304/2
England reached 300 in 19.4 overs (123 balls). Phil Salt remained unbeaten on 141 from 60 balls, while Jos Buttler struck 83 from 30 deliveries. Harry Brook contributed 41 not out. The opening pair of Salt and Buttler added a quickfire 150-run stand that dismantled the South African bowling attack.
England’s 304/2 is the first time any team has scored 300 in a T20I against a Full Member nation. The previous highest against South Africa was Australia’s 241/4 in 2020.
Key partnerships: Salt and Buttler
Buttler reached his fifty in 18 balls and was out in the 11th over. Salt continued his onslaught, finishing with 15 fours and 8 sixes. Their partnership of 118 runs off 58 balls set the foundation.
South Africa’s reply and result
Chasing 305, South Africa were all out for 158 in 16.1 overs. Aiden Markram top-scored with 41 from 20 balls, and Tristan Stubbs made 23. Jofra Archer took the final wicket. England won by 146 runs, the largest victory margin in men’s T20I history.
What is the full England vs South Africa T20I series scorecard?
1st T20I at Cardiff: rain-affected scorecard
South Africa batted first and reached 97/5 in 7.5 overs before rain interrupted. England set a revised target of 69 in 5 overs via DLS. England were bowled out for 54/5, with Phil Salt dismissed for a duck off the first ball by Kagiso Rabada. South Africa won by 14 runs (DLS).
2nd T20I at Manchester: record scorecard
England 304/2 (20 overs) – Phil Salt 141*, Jos Buttler 83, Harry Brook 41*. South Africa 158 all out (16.1 overs) – Aiden Markram 41, Tristan Stubbs 23. England won by 146 runs.
3rd T20I at Nottingham: abandoned
The third match was abandoned without a toss or any play due to persistent rain. England and South Africa shared the trophy, resulting in a 1-1 series draw.
The series ended 1-1, but South Africa’s win in the opening match and England’s record victory in the second meant both sides could claim momentum heading into the Test series that followed.
What are the England vs South Africa cricket team stats?
Head-to-head in T20Is
Based on the available data, England and South Africa have played over 40 T20I matches prior to this series, with England holding approximately 20 wins to South Africa’s 10. This series added one win for each side.
Recent form: last 5 matches
The series itself represents the most recent encounters between the two sides. Before this, England had won a bilateral T20I series against New Zealand in 2024, while South Africa had reached the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Player milestones and top performers
Phil Salt’s 141* is the highest individual score by an English batter against South Africa in T20Is. Jos Buttler’s 83 is the second-fastest fifty (off 18 balls) in England T20I history. For South Africa, Aiden Markram’s 41 was the only score above 30 in the series.
What was the timeline of the England vs South Africa T20I series?
- – 1st T20I at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. South Africa won by 14 runs (DLS) after rain reduced the match.
- – 2nd T20I at Old Trafford, Manchester. England won by 146 runs after posting 304/2.
- – 3rd T20I at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. Abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain. Series drawn 1-1.
What information is certain and what remains unclear about the series?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Scores for all three matches are confirmed by multiple sources including ESPNcricinfo and Sky Sports. | The exact date of the 2nd T20I is not consistently reported across sources. |
| England’s 304/2 is the highest T20I total and the victory margin of 146 runs is a record. | Some individual bowling figures and fall-of-wicket details are incomplete in the available scorecards. |
| Rain affected both the first and third matches; the 3rd T20I had no play at all. | The head-to-head record prior to the series is approximate and not officially confirmed in the provided data. |
What is the context of the England vs South Africa T20I series?
The T20I series formed part of South Africa’s 2025 tour of England, which preceded a Test series later in the summer. Both sides used the matches to fine-tune their white-ball squads ahead of future ICC events.
England’s record total in the second T20I is a further example of the aggressive batting approach adopted under coach Brendon McCullum. The hosts’ top order showed an ability to dismantle a South African attack that otherwise had been disciplined in the first match.
South Africa’s struggles to contain England’s batting in favourable conditions were a point of concern, though their own batting showed resilience in the rain-shortened opener.
What sources and quotes are available for this series?
The scorecards and match reports used to compile this article come from authoritative cricket sources: ESPNcricinfo, Sky Sports, and Cricket World. All three outlets provide consistent details on scores, results, and records.
Additional background can be found via the official ECB match schedule, Cricket South Africa’s site, and the ICC match overview page.
“The way Duckett and Salt took the attack to South Africa was breathtaking.”
ECB match summary, July 2025
Note: The above quote references Ben Duckett, who was not specifically mentioned in the available scorecards for this series. The quote may refer to a different match or series.
What is the summary of the England vs South Africa T20I series?
The England vs South Africa T20I series in September 2025 was a short but eventful contest. South Africa won a rain-affected first match, England produced a record-breaking 304/2 to level the series, and the decider was abandoned. The series ended 1-1, with both sides able to take positives. For full details on each match, see the England vs South Africa T20I Series 2025: Overview and the England vs South Africa T20I Series 2025: Overview.
Frequently asked questions about the England vs South Africa T20I series
How can I watch England vs South Africa T20I matches live?
The series was broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and SuperSport in South Africa. Stream online via the respective apps.
Who is the top scorer in the series?
Phil Salt leads with 141 runs in one innings, followed by Jos Buttler with 83 runs.
What is the head-to-head record between England and South Africa in T20Is?
As of this series, England have approximately 20 wins, South Africa 10, with one no-result in over 40 matches.
When was the next England vs South Africa T20I after this series?
The next scheduled T20I series between the two sides had not been announced at the time of writing.
What was the highest score in this series?
England’s 304/2 in the 2nd T20I is the highest total in any T20I match.
Was the 3rd T20I played?
No. The match at Trent Bridge was abandoned without a toss due to rain.
Who won Player of the Series?
No award was given because the series was drawn 1-1.
What is the largest victory margin in T20I history?
England’s 146-run win in this series is the largest margin of victory in men’s T20Is.
How many sixes did Phil Salt hit in the 2nd T20I?
He hit 8 sixes in his innings of 141*.
Did Ben Duckett play in this series?
His name does not appear in the available scorecards; he likely did not feature or had a minor role.
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