Records Tumble as England Smash 304! | Highlights – England vs South Africa | 2nd Men’s Vitality IT20 2025

The cricketing world witnessed an extraordinary spectacle in the 2nd Men’s Vitality IT20 between England and South Africa, as England delivered a batting masterclass of historic proportions. In front of a buzzing crowd, the English batters produced one of the most ruthless assaults ever seen in international T20 cricket, posting a record-breaking 304 runs in their 20 overs. The innings left fans in disbelief, statisticians scrambling, and South Africa with a mountain too steep to climb. What followed was an unforgettable night where records tumbled, boundaries rained, and T20 cricket reached new heights.

Toss and Team Setup

South Africa won the toss and, perhaps surprisingly in hindsight, chose to bowl first on what looked like a belter of a batting pitch. The decision was based on chasing comfort and dew factor, but it soon turned into a nightmare as England’s batting lineup went berserk.

England’s XI looked stacked with power hitters from top to bottom – Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, and Moeen Ali – all capable of tearing apart any bowling attack. South Africa, meanwhile, fielded their frontline attack with Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Marco Jansen, but even they looked powerless once England switched into overdrive.

England’s Innings: A Batting Carnival

Explosive Powerplay

The tone was set right from the first over. Jos Buttler opened his account with a stunning straight six, while Phil Salt showed no mercy to Rabada, smashing three fours in one over. England raced to 82/0 in just the first 5 overs, setting the stage for carnage.

Salt brought up his half-century in just 18 balls, mixing brutal power with audacious scoops and reverse hits. Buttler was equally devastating, targeting the shorter boundaries and lifting Nortje over square leg multiple times. By the end of the powerplay, England had stormed to 100/0, already breaking records for the fastest team century in England’s T20 history.

Middle-Overs Mayhem

There was no slowdown. Jonny Bairstow, batting at No.3, joined the onslaught after Salt was dismissed for a fiery 72 off 27 balls. Bairstow unleashed his trademark pulls and lofted drives, racing to 40 off just 15 deliveries.

But it was Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone who completely dismantled South Africa in the middle overs. Brook’s placement combined with raw aggression saw him pepper the gaps with boundaries, while Livingstone’s monstrous sixes had fans ducking in the stands. One of his sixes off Shamsi traveled an estimated 118 meters, one of the longest in T20I history.

The partnership between Brook and Livingstone added 94 runs in just 29 balls, turning a huge score into an astronomical one.

Death Overs Carnage

With wickets in hand, England launched a death-overs assault rarely seen before. Moeen Ali, promoted to No.6, contributed with a quickfire cameo, but the spotlight remained on Buttler, who completed a sensational century off just 45 balls.

Every ball seemed destined for the ropes – yorkers, slower balls, and bouncers were all dispatched. South Africa’s bowlers, usually so reliable, had no answers. England hammered 74 runs in the last 4 overs, with Buttler finishing unbeaten on 124 off 52 balls, including 11 sixes and 9 fours.

When the dust settled, the scoreboard read:
England – 304/3 in 20 overs.
It was the highest-ever T20I total, eclipsing Afghanistan’s 278 and setting a new benchmark in international cricket.

South Africa’s Response: Brave but Outgunned

Chasing 305 was always going to be improbable, but South Africa attempted to put up a fight. Quinton de Kock gave them a flying start, smashing 28 off 12 balls before falling to Reece Topley.

Captain Aiden Markram tried to steady the innings with Rassie van der Dussen, but the scoreboard pressure was unrelenting. Needing nearly 16 runs per over from the outset, risks were inevitable, and wickets fell regularly.

Despite spirited cameos from Heinrich Klaasen (36 off 19) and David Miller (29 off 14), South Africa never really looked in control of the chase. England’s bowlers, though expensive, picked up wickets at crucial intervals, with Adil Rashid claiming three middle-order scalps to ensure there was no miraculous comeback.

South Africa eventually finished at 221/8 in their 20 overs, a score that would win most T20 internationals, but on this night, it fell 83 runs short.

Scorecard Summary

England – 304/3 (20 overs)

• Jos Buttler – 124* (52)

• Phil Salt – 72 (27)

• Harry Brook – 48 (22)

• Liam Livingstone – 41 (17)

South Africa – 221/8 (20 overs)

• Heinrich Klaasen – 36 (19)

• Quinton de Kock – 28 (12)

• Aiden Markram – 27 (18)

• David Miller – 29 (14)

Result: England won by 83 runs

Records Broken in the Match

1. Highest T20I Team Total – England’s 304/3 set a new world record.

2. Fastest Team 100 – England reached 100 in just 6 overs.

3. Most Sixes in a T20I Innings by a Team – 26 sixes were smashed by England.

4. Jos Buttler’s Century – His 45-ball hundred was one of the fastest by an England player in T20Is.

5. Longest Six – Livingstone’s 118m monster entered the record books.

6. Highest Aggregate in a T20I Match in England – 525 runs combined.

Player of the Match

Unsurprisingly, Jos Buttler was named Player of the Match for his breathtaking 124*. His controlled aggression, placement, and composure underlined why he is regarded as one of the finest T20 batters in the world.

Key Moments That Shaped the Game

• Salt’s explosive start: His 18-ball fifty set the tone.

• Livingstone’s six-hitting spree: Put South Africa completely on the back foot.

• Buttler’s masterclass: A captain’s innings of rare brilliance.

• Rashid’s breakthroughs: Ensured South Africa couldn’t build partnerships.

Post-Match Reactions

England captain Jos Buttler was ecstatic:
“It was a special night. Everything clicked, and the crowd was incredible. To score 300 in a T20 is unbelievable, but it shows what this team is capable of.”

South Africa skipper Aiden Markram admitted the challenge was too steep:
“We tried to fight, but chasing 300 was never going to be easy. Credit to England – their batting was out of this world today.”

Conclusion

The 2nd Vitality IT20 between England and South Africa in 2025 will be remembered as the night when T20 cricket boundaries were pushed to their limits. England’s breathtaking 304 was not just a win but a statement of intent, showing their unmatched depth and fearless brand of cricket.

While South Africa played bravely, they were simply overwhelmed by the onslaught. Fans witnessed history, and the match will go down as one of the greatest batting exhibitions the game has ever seen.

Cricket purists and casual fans alike will talk about this night for years – the night England rewrote the T20I record books.