Foakes relief at first century in four years

tourists then finished the second day on 23 without loss, still 241 adrift. Foakes had waited nearly four years to score his second Test century after starting his career with a hundred in Sri Lanka. And that made his innings here all the sweeter against a powerful South African attack. ‘It was tough out there,’ he said. ‘It was just a sense of relief. I’m overjoyed, really. Since my first game, I’ve found hundreds aren’t easy to come by in Test cricket, so this one for me is very, very special.

‘Since my debut, a lot’s gone on, with difficult phases and injuries and time on the sidelines. That makes you appreciate and value the opportunity to get another one. Today was amazing.’ England had stumbled slightly to 147 for five in reply to South Africa’s first-innings 151 when Foakes joined his captain — and proceeded to add 173 in 54 overs, a partnership that grew in assurance after a tough start against South Africa’s spinners. ‘It was really hard to get away,’ said Foakes. ‘Ben was quite clear. He said we can absorb pressure as well — this is a difficult phase. Let’s score where we can and be busy, don’t do anything stupid. Then he raced away from 50 to 100, which put it back on them and let me bat. It was awesome.’ Foakes admitted he had spoken to his Surrey team-mate Ollie Pope and coach Brendon McCullum after failing twice with the bat in defeat at Lord’s. He added: ‘I’m not like Jonny Bairstow or Stokesy, who can muscle it over the boundary. I have to do it my way and not think I can hit it into Row Z.

‘To be honest, in my first 10 games I was thinking, “Jeez, how hard is Test cricket?” But getting a hundred definitely gives me confidence going forward.’