Cricket-England lead S.Africa by 241 runs after Stokes and Foakes tons

By Simon Evans

MANCHESTER, England -Centuries by England skipper Ben Stokes and Ben Foakes gave the hosts a commanding first innings lead after they declared at 415 for 9, with South Africa trailing by 241 runs on the shut on the second day of the second check on Friday.

The vacationers, who lead the three-match collection 1-0, reached 23 with out loss of their second innings with Sarel Erwee on 12 and Dean Elgar on 11 however they face a tricky activity because the Previous Trafford pitch favours seamers and spinners.

Stokes and wicketkeeper-batsman Foakes had placed on a 173-run partnership for the sixth wicket after South African fast Anrich Nortje struck twice to take away England’s in a single day batsmen throughout an impressive opening spell within the morning session.

Jonny Bairstow fell one run in need of his half century, with Nortje including reverse swing to his high tempo and the Yorkshireman edging to Erwee at first slip.

One other effective supply ended the stable contribution of 38 from under-scrutiny England opening batsman Zak Crawley, with Nortje’s excellent line inducing an edge to keeper Kyle Verreynne.

That meant England had been on 147-5, nonetheless 4 runs behind South Africa’s first innings complete. However Stokes and Foakes then batted positively earlier than lunch to start constructing the lead.

Stokes confirmed his intent by hitting spinner Simon Harmer over mid-wicket for six, whereas Keshav Maharaj had an lbw determination towards Foakes go in his favour just for it to be overturned on evaluation.

After lunch Stokes introduced up his half-century by hitting Simon Harmer over mid-on onto the England dressing room balcony however he saved his aggression in verify for many of his innings.

Stokes accelerated to his twelfth check ton, reaching the landmark in 158 balls, earlier than he discovered the vanguard off Kagiso Rabada and was caught by Elgar at cowl.

There have been cameos from Stuart Broad (21), Ollie Robinson (17) and Jack Leach (11) however Foakes ended unbeaten on 113 after his second profession check century and his first on residence soil.