Ben Stokes defied some discomfort in his left knee to help England into a lead against South Africa after Anrich Nortje’s double breakthrough at Emirates Old Trafford.
Nortje exploited hints of movement to go with his extreme pace to account for overnight batters Jonny Bairstow (49) and Zak Crawley (38) as England slipped to 147 for five, replying to South Africa’s 151.
Stokes and Ben Foakes helped the hosts to 212 without any further alarms at lunch on day two of the second LV= Insurance Test although there was brief concern when the England captain fell to the ground.
After dashing to complete a quick single, Stokes innocuously transferred his weight on to his left leg, appearing to jar his knee as he grimaced and went over before receiving treatment.