South Africa v England, 2nd Test, day 2 - The day belongs to Ben Stokes

It was neither Ian Botham nor Andrew Flintoff created mayhem out there, but it seemed that Gilbert Jessop was punishing the South African bowlers with a rare disdain. Ben Stokes was batting just like Jessop. Ben Stokes has been just out of this world. He blasted his way to one of the most hyper-aggressive knocks in the history of Test cricket and that too against the number one Test team in the world. You just can’t do anything when a batsman is in such a murderous mood. You can only rely on silent prayers. Dale Steyn is certainly happy to be injured out there. Even he would have found himself helpless against Stokes’ tornado.

England have posted a massive total on the board and the South Africans need to show a lot of resolve on day three to salvage pride in this Test match. Hashim Amla has rediscovered his lost mojo. He was looking good in the second innings of the first Test. One must always remember that form is temporary, but class is permanent. I am expecting something big from Amla here.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar