England vs South Africa: Ben – Stokes and Foakes – bat England into vast superiority against Proteas

Part of what makes Ben Stokes such a remarkable talent is his ability to grasp a situation, often just as things are looking a little hopeless for his side, and seemingly bend it to his own will. From the latter stages of the World Cup and that innings at Headingley to practically any time England are in the dirt and in desperate need of a wicket, Stokes so often has that special knack of delivering just at the right time.

So it proved once again on Day Two at Old Trafford, England’s skipper notching the 12th Test century of his career and ensuring there would be no wobble from his side as they batted themselves into a position of vast superiority in the match.

Stokes entered the fray inside the first six overs of the day, England four wickets down and still trailing by 17, a more perilous position than you might first assume – given the relative length of England’s tail – after 13 wickets on Day One, the Test was continuing to move at pace.

Anrich Nortje was bowling ferociously, he had seen off Jonny Bairstow to bring in Stokes and removed Zak Crawley in his next over – 90mph plus bowling, swinging through the air and seaming off the pitch – this was cricket with the difficulty turned up to expert level.

Two brilliant centuries to help us to a strong first innings total