Stokes century punishes Proteas as Eng put up 330

Update: 2017-05-27 16:56 GMT
Ben Stokes made South Africa pay for dropping him twice in his first two balls with a century that powered England to 330 for six in the second One-day International here.
There had been some doubt over whether Stokes would play after briefly leaving the field with left knee trouble during England's 72-run win at Headingley on Wednesday. But ahead of next week's Champions Trophy tournament in England, the all-rounder showed no discomfort with the bat.

His 79-ball innings, just his second century in 55 matches at this level, featured 11 fours and three sixes.

Stokes, the Indian Premier League's record two-million- dollar-man, shared stands of 95 with skipper Eoin Morgan and 77 with Jos Buttler.
After Stokes fell, wicket-keeper/batsman Buttler kept up the attack with a typically dashing 65 not out as England looked to go 2-0 up with one to play in this three-match series.
South Africa, the world's top-ranked ODI side, dropped six catches during a sloppy fielding display, with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj three times denied a wicket in his debut at this level.
The luckless Maharaj bowled much better than figures of one for 72 in 10 overs suggested.
Proteas captain AB de Villiers opted to field first after winning the toss in overcast conditions that promised to aid swing movement.
South Africa had an early success when Jason Roy (eight), was bowled trying to whip a Kagiso Rabada yorker legside.
But Joe Root several times drove seamer Dwaine Pretorius -- one of three South Africa changes from Wednesday's match -- for fours through mid-on.
Alex Hales, dropped on 18 when a six off Maharaj went straight through Rabada's hands at long-on, was still on 24 when well caught by wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock, standing up to the stumps, off Pretorius.
England's 70 for two then became 80 for three when Root was unluckily run out backing up for 39 as Pretorius deflected Morgan's drive onto the non-striker's stumps. Agencies

Similar News

Big Ben lords over all

‘Turbaned Tornado’ no more

heart-stoke

Blue day for PSG