Cape Town: England all-rounder Ben Stokes and wicket-keeper/batsman Johny Bairstow have blown away the South African bowlers in the second Test here on Sunday.
Stokes played a hurricane-type innings as scored an electrifying innings of 258 from just 198 deliveries including 30 boundaries and 11 maximums with a strike-rate of 130.30 while Bairstow played an unbeaten marathon innings of 150 from just 191 deliveries., including 18 boundaries and two maximums.
Both the players had added a massive 399 runs for the sixth wicket when England was struggling on 223/5 after the wicket of Joe Root who made a valuable half century.
Stokes completed his maiden double-ton in just 163 deliveries for becoming the second fastest double-ton maker in Test cricket after former New Zealand cricketer Nathan Astle.
England have declared their innings on 629/6 after Bairstow completed his 150 run mark.
In reply, South Africa have scored 141/2 before the umpires called off the day-2’s play.
Skipper Hashim Amla is batting on 64 and AB De Villiers is on 25 while both of them have already added 56 runs for the third wicket.
After showing batting talent, Stokes continues to rule the game by picking the set Dean Elgar’s wicket on 44 while Stiaan Van Zyl was the first man to be dismissed early by run out.
