NEW DELHI: Phil Salt and Harry Brook produced a scintillating display of power-hitting as England outclassed New Zealand by 65 runs in the second T20 international at Hagley Oval on Monday.

Salt smashed 85 off 56 balls while Brook blazed 78 from just 35 deliveries, the pair adding a rapid 129-run partnership that propelled England to 236 for 4 — the highest-ever T20 international total at the venue.

Their century stand came off only 54 balls, setting the tone for England’s dominance after being sent in to bat. Tom Banton provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 29 off 12 balls as England posted a formidable total.

In reply, New Zealand were bowled out for 171 in 18 overs while attempting what would have been the highest successful chase in T20I history. Adil Rashid starred with the ball, taking 4 for 32 — his fourth four-wicket haul in T20Is — and extended his remarkable streak to 21 consecutive innings with at least one wicket.

Tim Seifert top-scored for the hosts with 39, while Mitchell Santner added 36, but New Zealand lost all ten wickets to catches in a disappointing display.

“It’s always nice to contribute and to do it alongside Salty who has been very successful for us in this era,” said Brook, who was named Player of the Match. “The other night the pitch had a little more live grass on it. The sun has probably helped us out and made the pitch a little bit flatter and easier for the batters.”

The match was played on the same surface where the first T20I was washed out on Saturday. England had been 133 for 5 in that abandoned game, but the conditions this time were vastly improved after two days of warm, dry weather.

Salt signaled his intent early, dispatching the second ball of the match from Matt Henry over mid-wicket for six. Although Jos Buttler (4) and Jacob Bethell (24) fell inside the powerplay, England were already 68 for 2 after six overs.

Bethell’s brief cameo included two successive sixes off Michael Bracewell before he holed out, bringing Brook to the crease — and the run flow only accelerated from there. Brook was particularly dominant on the leg side, even launching two deliveries out of the ground over mid-wicket.

Salt reached his half-century from 33 balls in the 10th over, followed soon after by Brook, who brought up his maiden T20I fifty as captain from only 22 deliveries, featuring four fours and three sixes.

By the halfway mark, England were 110 for 2, and Brook crossed 1,000 T20I runs when he reached 66. He finally departed in the 18th over after hitting six fours and five sixes, while Salt followed two balls later. after a masterclass in timing and placement that included 11 fours and one six.

England now lead the three-match series 1–0, with the first game abandoned due to rain.

(With PTI Inputs)