Stokes and Foakes centuries with 173 runs six-wicket stand give England control
26 Aug 2022 Test Match Series – Day 2 of 5 at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
England Vs South Africa
South Africa won the toss and decided to bat.
South Africa 151 ao off 53.2ov, Petersen 21 off 29, 3 fours, Rabada 36 off 72, 2 fours, Anderson 3-32, Broad 3037, Stokes 2-17, Leach 1-11, Robinson 1-48
England 415-9 dec off 106.4 ov, Zac Crawley 38 off 101, 5 fours, Pope 23 off 27, 4 fours, Bairstow 49 off 63, 7 fours, Stokes 103 0ff 13, 6 fours, 3 sixes, Foakes 113 not out off 217, 9 fours, Rabada 2-110, Ngidi 1-61, Nortje 3-82, Maharaj 2-78, Harmer 1-73.
South Africa 23-0 off 9 ov, Erwee 12 not out off 26, 1 four, Elgar 11 not out off 28, 1 four.
South Africa trailed by 241 runs.
Centuries by Ben Stokes and Ben Foakes gave England control of the second Test against South Africa after two days at Old Trafford. Stokes’ first hundred as captain and wicketkeeper Foakes’ first at home took England to an astonishing 415-9 declared, a first innings lead of 264.
Stokes and Foakes came together at 147-5 after Anrich Nortje removed Jonny Bairstow and Zak Crawley. The sixth wicket stand of 173 put England in a dominating position to level the series at 1-1 with one match to play.
Stokes’ fearless display of batsmanship that mixed careful defence and brutal aggression with the showmanship of three mighty sixes, after trashing, swiping, and slogging showed his team he played a captain’s innings. Stokes counterpunched by sprinting down the pitch at every opportunity, as his first 41 runs came from 98 deliveries, the next 62 in almost even time. When Stokes was only 16 he had trouble with the left knee an lbw decision that has to be overturned, a dropped catch and at tea, he was 98 not out. The 100th run was taken off Kagiso Rabada, the left batting glove removed to perform a tribute to his late father, Ged. After reaching three figures he launched into a brutal attack.
In reply, South Africa did not lose any wickets for 23 runs by the close 241 behind.