Cape Town: Ben Stokes gave his wicket away three runs short of a half-century to start off another England batting collapse on the opening day of the second test against South Africa on Friday.
Stokes spooned a catch to mid-off on 47 and England went from 185-4 to 262-9 at stumps to take little reward from winning the toss and batting first at Newlands. The collapse followed similar slumps in the first test, when the tourists lost 7-39 in the first innings and 7-64 in the second to lose the series opener by 107 runs. Ollie Pope resisted to stumps with his 56 not out and last-man James Anderson was with him on 3 not out. They had clung on at the end of the day to add valuable runs after England was 234-9 when Stuart Broad’s stumps were rearranged by a yorker from quick bowler Kagiso Rabada. Stokes, who made a career-best 258 at record pace on his last visit to Newlands four years ago, appeared to have momentarily swung the momentum of the opening day with his six fours and a six in a 58-run stand with Pope. (AP)
