ENG vs SA 2nd Test: Centuries by England captain Ben Stokes and Ben Foakes gave the hosts a commanding first innings lead after they were at 415 for nine, with South Africa following by 241 runs at the close on the second day of the second test on Friday.

The tourists, who lead the three-match series 1-0, reached at 23 without loss in their second innings with Sarel Erwee on 12 and Dean Elgar on 11 however they face a tough task as the Old Trafford pitch favours seamers and spinners.

Stokes and wicketkeeper-batsman Foakes had placed on a 173-run partnership for the 6th wicket after South African quick bowler Anrich Nortje struck two times to dismiss England’s overnight batsmen during an exceptional opening spell in the morning session.

Jonny Bairstow fell one run short of his 50, with Nortje adding reverse swing to his top pace and the Yorkshireman edging to Erwee at first slip. One more fine delivery finished the strong contribution of 38 from under scrutiny England opening batsman Zak Crawley, with Nortje’s ideal line prompting an edge to keeper Kyle Verreynne.

That implied England were on 147-5, still four runs behind South Africa’s first inning total.

In any case, Stokes and Foakes then, at that point, batted decidedly before lunch to start building the lead. Stokes showed his aim by hitting spinner Simon Harmer over mid-wicket for six, while Keshav Maharaj had a lbw ruling against Foakes go in support of himself just for it to be toppled on survey.

After lunch Stokes raised his half-century by hitting Simon Harmer over mid-wicket for six onto the England dressing room balcony yet he held his animosity in line for most part of his innings.

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Stokes advanced to his 12th test ton, arriving at the milestone in 158 balls, before he tracked down the leading edge off Kagiso Rabada and was caught by Elgar at cover.

There were cameos from Stuart Broad (21), Ollie Robinson (17) and Jack Leach (11) yet Foakes ended unbeaten on 113 after his second career test century and his first on home soil.