Stokes celebrates after scoring his maiden double hundred
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
England all-rounder Ben Stokes smashed the second-fastest double century in Test history and Jonny Bairstow scored a career-best 150 not out as the tourists made South Africa suffer on the second day of the third Test in Cape Town.
Starting out the day on 317/5, Stokes and Bairstow converted their 94-run partnership into a 399-run stand, which is the second-highest partnership for England in Test history.
During their incredible partnership, Stokes surpassed his maiden double hundred and Bairstow his first century. However, the partnership was finally brought to an end when Stokes was run out by AB de Villiers for a career-best 258, which came off just 198 balls and included 30 boundaries and 11 sixes.
Bairstow went on to score 150 not out, which came off 191 deliveries and included 18 boundaries and two sixes, before England captain Alastair Cook decided to declare with his side on 629/6.
Bairstow exults after bringing up his maiden Test century
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while debutant Chris Morris and Morne Morkel chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Trailing by 629 runs, South Africa got off to a poor start as Stiaan van Zyl’s woes with the bat continued as was run out by Nick Compton for just four runs.
South Africa skipper Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar made up for the early loss of van Zyl with a 78-run partnership before Elgar was caught by Compton at backward point off the bowling of Stokes for 44.
Amla and de Villiers ensured the Proteas did not lose any more wickets for the remainder of the day as they put together an unbeaten 56-run stand, during which Amla brought up his half-century, before stumps was called.
Amla finished on 64 off 124 balls, which included 10 boundaries, while de Villiers remained undefeated on 25 off 51 deliveries, which included three boundaries.
Amla hit 10 boundaries during his unbeaten knock of 64
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Stokes was the only bowler to take a wicket.
South Africa ended day two on 141/2 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:00 local time or 08:30 GMT.