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Ben there, done that: Proteas razed to the ground as Ben Stokes the flames

England all-rounder smashes 258 in record time as visitors amass 629-9 (dec)

News Desk/afp January 03, 2016

Stokes destroyed all comers on his way to the fastest ever 250 in Test history, ensuring that England are all but certain to at least take their 1-0 lead into the third Test. PHOTO: AFP

CAPE TOWN:

England all-rounder Ben Stokes hit a thrilling double-century as he and Jonny Bairstow battered the South African bowlers into submission on the second day of the second Test at Newlands on Sunday.

Stokes slammed 258 and Bairstow made 150 not out before England declared on 629-6. The pair shared a world Test record sixth wicket partnership of 399.

A bad day for South Africa got worse when Stiaan van Zyl was run out in the third over. Opener Dean Elgar and skipper Hashim Amla steadied the ship with a 78-run stand before Stokes delivered once again by dismissing Elgar on 44.

Botham blown away by 'magnificent' Stokes

Amla (64) and AB de Villiers (25) ensured there were no further mishaps as they took the hosts to 141-2 at stumps with a 56-run partnership, albeit with De Villiers being offered a reprieve after being dropped by Joe Root off James Anderson.

Earlier, the left-handed Stokes thrashed 30 fours and 11 sixes in his 197-ball innings. He reached his double century off just 163 balls, the second fastest in Tests behind Nathan Astle’s 153-ball effort for New Zealand against England at Christchurch in 2001-02.

2nd Test: Late Stokes burst gives England the edge

He reached 250 with a six off Kagiso Rabada to become the fastest to the mark in Tests, beating Virender Sehwag’s effort for India against Sri Lanka in Mumbai in 2009 by 11 balls.

With a declaration imminent, Stokes pounded the next delivery into the stands for another six before, in trying to hit a third, he skied the ball to De Villiers at mid-on, who dropped it but managed to run out Stokes with a direct hit to the bowler’s end. Although he was overshadowed by Stokes, Bairstow also played a fine innings in registering a maiden Test century off 161 balls. He then followed Stokes’ example by going on an all-out attack to go to 150 off only 30 balls with 18 fours and two sixes.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2016.

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