London: Ben Stokes made a century as England were dismissed for 353 on the second day of the third Test against South Africa at The Oval on Friday.
Stokes was last man out for 112, the Durham all-rounder’s fifth Test hundred and second against South Africa.
He went to his century in style when, with just No. 11 James Anderson for company, he hoisted left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj for two sixes in as many balls.
The first was ‘caught’ by Faf du Plessis but the South Africa captain touched the boundary rope as he fell, meaning Stokes had scored a six.
South Africa were without Vernon Philander for most of Friday’s play, the paceman bowling just five overs before being sent to hospital for tests after what was thought to be a stomach bug worsened.
Former England captain Alastair Cook made 88 after current skipper Joe Root won the toss in what is the 100th Test staged at The Oval.
Fast bowler Morne Morkel led South Africa’s attack in Philander’s absence with three for 70 in 28.2 overs.
England were 269 for six at lunch, with Stokes 64 not out and Moeen Ali unbeaten on 10.
England had been criticised by several former captains for some slapdash batting in a huge 340-run defeat by South Africa at Trent Bridge that saw the Proteas level this four-match series at 1-1.
But Stokes, in the 100th Test at The Oval, got the balance right on Friday morning, the all-rounder aggressive against the old ball and watchful when the new one arrived.
England resumed on 171 for four, with Cook 82 not out and Stokes 21 not out.
Cook, however, had added just six runs to his score when he was lbw to fast bowler Morne Morkel for 88, made in a near five-hour innings that saw the former skipper face 200 balls and hitting 10 fours.
Already, England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer, this innings saw Cook move past Australia great Allan Border into ninth place in the all-time list.
Cook was in sight of his 31st Test century when he played back to the towering Morkel, bowling from around the wicket. The left-handed opener reviewed West Indian umpire Joel Wilson’s decision but replays showed the ball clipping the top of the stumps.
But left-handed batsman, who made a Test-best 258 against South Africa at Cape Town last year, dismissively pulled Morkel for four.
Meanwhile, Bairstow struck three boundaries off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj’s first over of the day, two sweeps separated by a drive.
Runs were flowing, with Stokes pulling fast bowler Kagiso Rabada over mid-on to complete a 72-ball fifty with his seventh four.
