Manchester: Ben Stokes Scored his first century since being appointed full-time England captain and wicketkeeper ben fox The second Test in Manchester on Friday saw the hosts reach three points as they established a commanding lead over South Africa.
Stokes scored 103, with Fox scoring a Test best 113 after completing his second century at this level when his captain declared England’s first innings at 415–9, a 264-run lead, South Africa’s 151. After getting out on the run.
It left the leaders of the World Test Championship with South Africa with a difficult nine overs to bat at the sun-drenched Old Trafford before the end of the second day.
But the Proteas went 1-0 in the three-match series after a dominant innings and 12-run win in the first Test at Lord’s, 23-0 through stumps – a deficit of 241 runs.
Sarel Irvi remained unbeaten on 12 and South Africa captain Dean Elgar remained unbeaten on 11.
Earlier, Stokes and Fox formed an impressive partnership of 173 after faltering 147-5 with England following a double strike from fast bowler Enrique Nortje.
Remembering Simon Harmer as the second spinner for their attack, South Africa were almost obliged to bat first after winning the toss in the hope that the Old Trafford pitch would turn more as the game progressed.
But off-spinner Harmer, a prolific wicket-taker with county side Essex, and slow left-armer Keshav Maharaj could take only three late-order wickets between them for a combined 151 runs in 45.4 overs.
Harmer’s first delivery on Friday, a full toss, was stroked through cover for four by Fox and three balls later, Stokes hit him for a six.
Left-handed batsman Stokes, 34 not out at lunch, completed his half-century in 101 balls when he hit Harmer for a six in classic style.
Stokes hit a straight six off Maharaj in the 80s, before Fox completed a half-century off 116 balls.
South Africa took the new ball as quickly as possible, with England 288-5 in 80 overs, only for Stokes to go for four off the next ball from Lungi Ngidi.
But the second ball with the new ball almost proved Stokes’ knock of 92 when a diving Aiden Markram hard-hit drive at extra cover failed to catch a brilliant catch.
All-rounder Stokes, 98 not out at tea, went for three points in unusual fashion when a straight drive from Kagiso Rabada deflected the pacer’s shin and made him a century in 158 balls, including six fours and three sixes.
But he fell soon after when an edge from Rabada was caught well by Elgar, back pedaling at mid-off.
England, however, were still well-established at 320–6, having recovered well after a loss at Lord’s in this match, having won four consecutive wins under the new leadership pair of Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. represented the first defeat.
And for talk of a new ‘bazzball’ attacking style, the 31-year-old Stokes’ well-deserved innings – his 12th century in 85 Tests and fourth against South Africa – was also a largely conservative batting victory.
Fox added to the Proteas’ woes by scoring his second century in 16 Tests when the late 29-year-old pacer Nortje hit his ninth boundary off 206 balls.
It was all a far cry from the morning session, where Nortje picked up the Proteas attack with 3-82 in 20 overs, two quicks and runs to clear overnight batsmen Jonny Bairstow (49) and Jack Crowley (38). Produced accurate delivery. ,
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