Stokes hits second-fastest Test 200

Bairstow and Stokes have added 150 off just 147 balls.

England, searching for its first series win over South Africa in 11 years, has dominated the world’s No. 1-ranked Test team from the start of the four-match series and won the first test in Durban by 241 runs.

The English left hander is the first England batsman and only the second overseas player to notch up a double century in Cape Town after former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming. My mum was up there in one of the boxes, my sister as well, it’s a special day for all family – both here and up there.

England’s leading all-time wicket-taker James Anderson is set to return to their attack for the second Test against South Africa starting on today after recovering from a calf injury.

Exactly fifty of Stokes’ runs came in boundaries, 11 fours and a six, with Bairstow making 39no in 59 balls in the supporting role.

South Africa, shell-shocked by the beating they had experienced in the field, took tea at 24 for one after Stiaan van Zyl was softly run out.

The decision proved costly as England’s late assault took the day away from the previously spirited Proteas.

They are numbers never seen before in over a century of Test cricket. “There are things he could have done better”.

He was eventually run out, with England declaring on 629-6 soon after.

De Villiers was dropped on five by Joe Root at second slip, while Amla’s half-century was his first in exactly a year as he battles with poor form and continuing questions around his captaincy.

“I was disappointed not to go and make three figures”, he told reporters as the tourists, 1-0 up in the four-match series, ended the day in a strong position. Nick Compton lobbed the ball to Bairstow for an easy run out.

Amla (64*) and De Villiers (25*) steadied the ship in the closing stages of the day’s play with a third-wicket stand of 56, leaving the hosts 488 runs behind England with eight wickets remaining.

Rabada said bowling conditions had been tough.

Having already accounted for Cook and caused Root problems, he struck twice in as many balls to drag South Africa back into the contest.

The last of those boundaries before lunch was a powerful pull off the back foot to the mid-wicket boundary to go past 200.

Stokes slammed 258 and Bairstow made 150 not out before England declared on 629/6.

Kagiso Rabada was 3-123 and spinner Dane Piedt 0-112.

– Stokes becomes the third England player to notch up a double century in Tests in South Africa.

“It was a hell of an innings and hopefully he can kick on tomorrow for a ton”.

During his 140-ball knock, Hales showed tremendous character to curb his natural aggression and played as per the merit of the delivery – something he is not used to do in the limited overs game. “Hopefully we can push on past 450”. This partnership is also a record stand for any wicket in South Africa, going past the mark of 385 set by Australia’s Steve Waugh and Greg Blewett for the fifth wicket in Johannesburg in 1997.

“A lot of the public will only have seen me play Twenty20 cricket so I guess I do have that label but opening in the longer formats is very different and something I’ve worked very hard on”.