Twitter Reactions: Stokes and Foakes' tons hand England massive advantage in 1st innings

Centuries from skipper Ben Stokes and the wicketkeeper-batter Ben Foakes ensured that team England remain on top against South Africa at the end of Day 2 of the second Test between the Three Lions and South Africa on August 26 (Friday).

Talking about Day 1, England were 111/3 at the close of play with batter Jonny Bairstow on 38 and opener Zak Crawley playing a crucial supporting role being not out on 17 from 77 balls. At the start of Day 2, Bairstow was the first one to go as he scored a decent 49 before being scalped by Nortje.

Foakes and Stokes were involved in a match-defining partnership

Crawley, on the other hand, battled hard for his stay at the crease but was scalped soon. At 147/5, the home team looked in some trouble, but skipper Stokes and talented Foakes took the charge of England’s innings. Both of them stitched a partnership of 173 runs as the Three Lions crossed the 300-run mark.

Ben Stokes soon brought up his 12th Test hundred but was soon scalped by express pacer Kagiso Rabada. Foakes was then joined by Stuart Broad who scored a flashy 21 off 14 balls. Despite Broad getting out, Foakes found an able partner in the form of Ollie Robinson as the wicketkeeper-batter completed an excellent century.

Foakes remained unbeaten for his 113 runs off 217 balls and stroked nine fours in his innings. Robinson (17 runs) and Jack Leach (11 runs) also gave a short but vital contribution with the bat as England declared their first innings on 415/9 in 106.4 overs. For South Africa, Nortje (three wickets), Rabada (two wickets), Lungi Ngidi (one wicket), Keshav Maharaj (two wickets), and Simon Harmer (one wicket) were the successful bowlers.

In their second innings, South Africa scored 23 runs without losing any wickets. Skipper Dean Elgar and Sarel Erwee have managed to negotiate the new ball burst from the English pacers, but their job is not done yet as they have to bat out of their skins to make a comeback in the Test match on Day 3. They trail by 241 runs in their second innings and it remains to be seen if they will be able to stage a comeback.

Meanwhile, here are some Twitter reactions: