Stokes and Amla Star in Second Test Draw

The second Test between England and South Africa ended in a draw, although it remembered for two world-class innings played by Ben Stokes and Hashim Amla. Usually a pitch which offers little to the bowlers will be criticised, although on this occasion the surface served up allowed the cricketing world to witness two sublime innings of very different styles.

England won the toss and opted to bat first in Cape Town. Alistair Cook and Alex Hales put on 55 for the first wicket before Cook was dismisses for 27. Nick Compton proved to be an equally reliable partner for Hales, although when England lost Hales for 60 it wasn’t long before Compton departed just short of his half-century. South Africa may have been without Dale Styen, but their young prodigy Kagiso Rabada was proving an able replacement, picking up two of the first three wickets. When Rabada removed James Taylor for a duck, it looked like an England collapse could be on the cards, but Joe Root and Stokes steadied the ship, taking England past 200.

When Root was dismissed for 50, Stokes powered on. Partnered by Jonny Bairstow, Stokes destroyed the South Africa attack, smashing 258 off just 198 balls. Stokes has had his moments in Test cricket before, scoring a century in Australia and smashing a hundred against New Zealand at Lords. However, this was by far his finest innings yet. His innings included 30 fours and 11 sixes, and it soon became clear the inexperienced bowling attack had no answer to Stokes’ power. Bairstow soon got in on the act, as he scored his maiden Test century. His 150 came off 191 balls. When Stokes was ran out, Bairstow was given enough time to bring up his 150 before England declared.

England had their tails up as the South African batsmen came to the crease, and it looked as though the hosts could capitulate when Stiaan van Zyl was ran out. Enter Hashim Amla. Amla hasn’t had the best of times of lately as the pressures of the captaincy have weighed him down. Root dropped on him on 5, a drop that would cost England 196 runs. While Stokes innings was about power and audacity, Amla’s was about patience and timing. He stood at the crease for 699 minutes in total, displaying a discipline that few in the modern game could dream off. While Stokes’ innings represented the future of Test cricket, the serine Amla conjured up images of the greats before him, proving that patience and grit belong in today’s game.

Amla was supported by AB de Villiers and Temba Bavuma. De Villiers fell just short of his ton but Bavuma kept his composure to reach his reach his maiden century. He finished unbeaten on 102 as South Africa declared on 627-7, two runs behind England.

With the game heading for a draw, there was just enough time for England to prove once again they don’t do things the easy way. Cook and Hales both feel cheaply, leaving England 19-2. Compton and Root reached double figures but were unable to kill off the South African charge. When Compton fell England were 85-4. However, useful knocks from Taylor and Stokes saw England move to safety, and an unbeaten 30 from Jonny Bairstow saw England finish on 159-6 when the captains shook hands.

After the game, Amla announced his resignation as captain. South African fans will now be hoping that he can return to the consistent form that saw him become one of the finest batsmen in the world. While England still lead the series 1-0, there is a feeling that this performance will give the hosts confidence and belief going into the final two Tests.