Stokes thrashes rapid double century

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 for six. 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 of their reply. South Africa were 24 for one at tea.
The left-handed Stokes thrashed 30 fours and 11 sixes in a 197-ball innings. He reached his double century off 163 balls, the second fastest in Tests behind Nathan Astle’s 153-ball effort for New Zealand against England at Christchurch in 2001/02.
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 AB de Villiers at mid-on. De Villiers dropped it but ran out Stokes with a direct hit to the bowler’s end.
The South African bowlers had no answer to a relentless assault, which started with 45 runs scored off the first four overs of the day, bowled by Morne Morkel and Chris Morris. The left-handed Stokes needed only 12 balls to go from his overnight 74 to his third Test century, which he made off 105 deliveries with 16 fours and a six.

Brief scores

England: 629/6d (125.5 overs)
South Africa: 79/1 (22.5 overs)

Stokes thrashes rapid double century

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 for six. 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 of their reply. South Africa were 24 for one at tea. The left-handed Stokes thrashed 30 fours and 11 sixes in a 197-ball innings. He reached his double century off 163 balls, the second fastest in Tests behind Nathan Astles 153-ball effort for New Zealand against England at Christchurch in 2001/02. He reached 250 with a six off Kagiso Rabada to become the fastest to the mark in Tests, beating Virender Sehwags 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 AB de Villiers at mid-on. De Villiers dropped it but ran out Stokes with a direct hit to the bowlers end. The South African bowlers had no answer to a relentless assault, which started with 45 runs scored off the first four overs of the day, bowled by Morne Morkel and Chris Morris. The left-handed Stokes needed only 12 balls to go from his overnight 74 to his third Test century, which he made off 105 deliveries with 16 fours and a six. Brief scores England: 629/6d (125.5 overs) South Africa: 79/1 (22.5 overs)