2nd Test: Ben Stokes hails 'benchmark' win as England level series against South Africa

28.08.2022 - 06:41 timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Old Trafford on Saturday. Victory by an innings and 85 runs, with more than two days to spare, brought England level in this three-match series at 1-1, following South Africa almost as dominant innings-and-12-run triumph at Lord's last week.

England have won five of their six matches since Stokes succeeded Joe Root as skipper but this one was built on Test-match fundamentals rather than setting up a crowd-pleasing run-chase in the fourth innings.

Stokes's men were on top from the start in Manchester, reducing South Africa to 77-5 before lunch on the first day after Proteas skipper Dean Elgar -- almost obliged to bat first having included a second spinner, Simon Harmer, -- won the toss.

The Proteas were eventually dismissed for a meagre 151 in their first innings. Read Also2nd Test: England beat South Africa by an innings and 85 runsEngland hammered South Africa by an innings and 85 runs to win the second Test at Old Trafford inside three days on Saturday.

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