Fastest T20 Hundreds in International Cricket – Phil Salt Smashes England Record

Phil Salt lit up Old Trafford with a blistering century, smashing England’s fastest-ever T20I hundred and powering his team to a record-breaking win over South Africa. The wicketkeeper-batter reached his milestone in just 39 balls, overtaking Liam Livingstone’s previous mark of 42 balls.

Salt remained unbeaten on 141 off 60 balls, his highest score for England, and helped set up England’s mammoth 304-2 – the third-highest total in men’s T20Is and the highest ever by an ICC full-member nation. This was Salt’s fourth T20I century, more than any other England player, and puts him alongside greats like Glenn Maxwell and Rohit Sharma (both with five).

Phil Salt’s Masterclass at Old Trafford

Salt’s innings was nothing short of a masterclass. He struck 15 fours and eight sixes, combining power with placement and maturity. Alongside Jos Buttler (83 off 30 balls), he guided England to 100 runs inside the Powerplay, their highest-ever Powerplay score and the third-highest in T20I history.

Buttler’s fireworks included a rapid 18-ball half-century, setting the tone for England’s dominant batting display. Even after his dismissal, Salt carried on relentlessly, sharing key partnerships with Jacob Bethell and captain Harry Brook to take England past the historic 300-run mark.

Bowling for South Africa was punished heavily – Kagiso Rabada conceded 70 runs, including two no-balls, the most by a South African in a T20I match.

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Why This Century Matters

Salt’s record has significance beyond the numbers:

• Fastest T20I hundred by an England batter – 39 balls
• Third-highest team total in men’s T20Is – 304-2
• Biggest T20I win by runs for England – by 146 runs
• Four centuries in T20Is – most by any England batter

With the T20 World Cup coming up, England will take confidence from this dominant performance, proving that their top order can still be one of the most destructive in world cricket.

Fastest Centuries in T20I Cricket (Updated List)

Here’s the latest list of the fastest hundreds in T20 International cricket as of September 2025:

Salt’s inclusion in this elite list underlines how exceptional his innings was, joining the ranks of some of the most explosive batters in the game.

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England’s Batting Revival and Future Outlook

This win was more than just a series-levelling victory – it was a statement. After a poor run in ODI cricket and a lacklustre Champions Trophy campaign, England’s batting resurgence is timely. With players like Buttler, Salt, Brook, and the likes of Ben Duckett waiting in the wings, England look primed for an exciting build-up to the next T20 World Cup.