Stokes gives England edge with attacking knock
CAPE TOWN: Ben Stokes unleashed a flurry of attacking strokes late in the afternoon to give England the edge on the first day of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands on Saturday.
England were 317 for five at the close, with the left-handed Stokes on 74 not out.
An injury-depleted South African bowling attack, spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada, kept England in check for much of a hot, cloudless day on a batsmanfriendly pitch.
Rabada, 20, playing in his first home Test, took three for 74.
The match seemed evenly poised when Joe Root was dismissed for 50 by new cap Chris Morris. But Stokes and Jonny Bairstow (39 not out) put on an unbeaten 94 for the sixth wicket.
Stokes was particularly aggressive against the second new ball, hitting the first two deliveries from Morris for fours to post a 70-ball half-century. He hit two more fours in the same over.
By the close he had faced 93 balls and hit 11 fours and a six.
Alex Hales and Root hit halfcenturies, while Nick Compton made 45 after England won the toss and made first use of a pitch with good bounce but minimal sideways movement.
Hales, playing in his second Test match, hit 60 -- his maiden Test half-century -- and shared stands of 55 with opening partner Alastair Cook and 74 for the second wicket with Compton.