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

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 runs

England hammered South Africa by an innings and 85 runs to win the second Test at Old Trafford inside three days on Saturday.

England then made 415-9 declared featuring all-rounder Stokes's 103 -- his first Test century as England captain -- and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes's Test-best 113 not out. A stubborn 43-over stand of 87 between Keegan Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen kept England at bay on Saturday until Stokes, in one of the match-turning bowling displays that have been a hallmark of his career, removed both batsmen after tea. That paved the way for another collapse. South Africa slumped to 179 all out after succumbing to the new-ball thrust of James Anderson and Ollie Robinson as their last five wickets fell for just seven runs in 31 balls. England have made much of their desire to play "positively" but in Manchester they also demonstrated plenty of cricket intelligence as well as