England vs South Africa, 2nd T20I at Manchester, ENG vs SA, Sep 12 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

9.50pm: Right, we'll leave it there for tonight. Firdose Moonda's report will be updated here very shortly, and we'll have Vithushan Ehantharajah's view from Emirates Old Trafford with you before long, too. For now, it's goodnight from Ranjith, Miller and Matt, and we'll be back again for Sunday's decider -- with the small matter of T20 Blast Finals Day tomorrow.

Harry Brook says he is "pretty lost for words" and calls the start "phenomenal". He says: "With the batting line-up we've got, there's not many heights we can't reach. [Must-win today?] Every must-win game now leading up to that T20 World Cup is awesome preparation for us. [Salt?] There's going to be some tough decisions! We like headaches. It's always good to have them debates."

Aiden Markram is up. "Tough one," he says. "We started getting it wrong from the toss. That was on me. Two masterclasses up front from them. When you're put under that sort of pressure, it's hard to come back. Sometimes, it only lasts six or eight overs. Tonight, it lasted the full 20. You expect good wickets nowadays in T20s and there are world-class players all over the world. You need to have plans in place. [Sunday preparation?] I don't think we'll be training. It's been a busy tour. We'll put some minds together and have a casual conversation over a coffee. It's important as a team to never stop learning."

The player of the match is, shock horror, Phil Salt for his 141 not out. "That was really good fun. Obviously the personal milestone, but the fact that we got 300 and won by such a big margin, you can't really ask for much more. [Fast starts?] Sometimes, it's a case of reacting. I'll pick days when I want to jump-start someone... It's a bit of a balancing act. [Pitch?] Everyone knows it's a good wicket... I was really clear that the Powerplay was really important. [Beating Livingstone's record?] I don't want to rub it in, he's got a big day tomorrow."

9.38pm: That is a drubbing. England's highest-ever T20I total, their biggest win, and South Africa's heaviest defeat. The result was never in much doubt after Phil Salt and Jos Buttler's free-wheeling batting took England past 300, but their bowlers have dotted the Is and crossed the Ts to get the job done. Three wickets for Archer, two each for Curran, Dawson and Jacks, and one for Rashid. Markram got South Africa off to a decent start, and Fortuin had some run towards the end, but they were never really in the contest. The series stands at 1-1 ahead of a decider on Sunday at Trent Bridge... though the less we say about the weather forecast for that one, the better!

Archer is the second England player to take four catches in a men's T20I, and the first outfielder. Here's the proof.

Dan: "I think we can comfortably say that England won by an innings there"

Matt L: "In a game full of records, and accomplishments, please spare a thought for Tom Banton, he didn't Bat, Bowl, or even get a Catch." -- Yes, Brook ran straight over to him at the end and put his arm around him. Thanks for coming!

The required rate has ticked up past six runs per ball. England win via the mercy rule?

Hat-trick ball for Will Jacks! Can he finish the job in style? Williams walks in. He had a rough night with the ball. Slip and leg slip in.

Will: ""They need 30 an over, let's give Will a bowl!" I'm getting village cricket flashbacks!"

Maphaka.

Ed: "Fortuin's highest score in international cricket"

ms: "nice to see Fortuin getting his eye in for the proper event of the weekend tomorrow at finals day..." -- Yes, due to hop on down to Birmingham tomorrow!

Just 149 needed off the last 30 balls. England throw the ball to Will Jacks.

Rashid's night is over.

Slip in.

Philip M McCart: "There's a fat lady here asking for a mic"

Here's Rabada. No point blocking and nudging here.

Shadlee: "What exactly is Stubbs trying to do?" -- The Tuk Tuk Academy has a new graduate... plenty of intent, but he just looks horribly out of form!