Ben Stokes hit his first century since being appointed England’s full-time captain and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes additionally reached three figures because the hosts established a commanding lead over the Proteas within the second Test in Manchester on Friday.
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Stokes made 103, with Foakes a Test-best 113 not out when his skipper declared England’s first innings on 415/9, a lead of 264 runs, after South Africa had been dismissed for a meagre 151.
That left World Test Championship leaders South Africa with a tough 9 overs to bat earlier than the shut of the second day at a sun-drenched Old Trafford.
But the Proteas, 1-0 up on this three-match sequence after a dominant innings and 12-run win within the first Test at Lord’s, had been 23-0 at stumps – nonetheless a deficit of 241.
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Sarel Erwee was 12 not out and South Africa captain Dean Elgar unbeaten on 11.
Earlier, Stokes and Foakes shared a formidable partnership of 173 after coming along with England wobbling at 147/5 following a double strike by specific quick bowler Anrich Nortje that eliminated each in a single day batsmen – Jonny Bairstow (49) and opener Zak Crawley (38).
“I was overjoyed getting a Test hundred,” Foakes advised Sky Sports after a second century in 16 matches at this stage and first at residence following his 107 on debut towards Sri Lanka in Galle in November 2018.
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The 29-year-old Surrey gloveman, whose England profession has been interrupted by accidents and, extra just lately a bout of Covid-19, added: “When you go through a lean patch, it makes it even more special.”
“It’s obviously not easy and they’ve got a fantastic bowling attack so it was tough out there.”
Nortje, regardless of being the choose of the Proteas’ assault with general figures of 3-82 in 20 overs, was curiously underused by Elgar whereas bowling simply 9 overs in Friday’s first two classes.
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“Dean had a plan according to what the situation told him,” Nortje advised reporters.
“We can’t go too deeply into who bowled when. It was a good wicket to bat on and they did bat well.”
By recalling Simon Harmer as a second spinner to their assault, within the hope the pitch at Old Trafford would provide extra flip as the sport went on, South Africa had virtually been obliged to bat first upon profitable the toss.
But off-spinner Harmer, a prolific wicket-taker with county aspect Essex, and sluggish left-armer Keshav Maharaj might solely handle three late-order wickets between them for a mixed 151 runs in 45.4 overs.
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Harmer’s first supply on Friday, a full toss, was stroked by means of the covers for 4 by Foakes and, three balls later, Stokes swept him for six.
Left-handed batsman Stokes went into the 80s with a straight six off Maharaj.
South Africa took the brand new ball as quickly as potential, with England 288/5 off 80 overs, just for Stokes to look the following supply, from Lungi Ngidi, for 4.
But the second supply with the brand new ball virtually proved Stokes’ undoing on 92 when a diving Aiden Markram at additional cowl failed to maintain what would have been a spectacular catch off a hard-hit drive.
All-rounder Stokes, 98 not out at tea, went to three figures in uncommon style when a straight drive off Kagiso Rabada deflected off the quick bowler’s shin to take him to a 158-ball hundred, together with six fours and three sixes.
Ben Stokes hit his 4th ton towards the Proteas
But he fell quickly afterwards when a vanguard off Rabada was properly caught by the back-pedalling Elgar at mid-off.
England, nonetheless, had been now 320-6, having recovered properly on this match after a loss at Lord’s that represented their first defeat after 4 successive wins underneath the brand new management duo of Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.
And for all of the speak of a brand new ‘Bazball’ aggressive model, the 31-year-old Stokes’ well-paced innings – his twelfth hundred in 85 Tests and fourth towards South Africa – was additionally a triumph of largely orthodox batting.
Foakes accomplished 100 of his personal when he late minimize Nortje for a ninth 4 in 206 balls confronted.
England’s tailenders then chipped in with some extravagant pictures earlier than Stokes referred to as a halt.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse