Stokes, who had overcome a shoulder damage suffered on tour with England in October, additionally hit the quickest 250 (off 196 balls) in check historical past and the second quickest double century (163 balls). Ben Stokes just seemed to see it like a beach ball, and nearly hit boundaries off every ball. Yet in no time at all, Stokes drove, stroked and thrashed his way to such a pitch of domination that South Africa’s bowlers were helpless.
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Indian troops still fighting 2 gunmen at Pathankot air base
The US is committed to its strong partnership with the Indian government to combat terrorism, he said in a statement. An Indian official said two gunmen were still at large, contradicting reports that the base was secured on Saturday.
“After he dropped the catch he wasn’t going to miss the stumps”, Stokes said, although he admitted it had been a dream innings, far surpassing his previous highest Test score of 120 against Australia at Perth two seasons ago.
Saudis cut ties with Iran Shiite execution
When these young people joined the Arab Spring protests in Bahrain and eastern Saudi Arabia in 2011, Nimr became a leading figure. Saudi Arabia will face “divine revenge” for its execution of a prominent Shia cleric, Iran’s supreme leader has warned.
Kevin Pietersen managed some incredible batting feats during his worldwide career and this Stokes effort is up there with the best of them – when Pietersen scored 158 at The Oval in 2005 that secured England’s first Ashes series win in 18 years.
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On Sunday, hundreds of Iranians staged a rally outside the Saudi Embassy’s headquarters in Tehran to protest the execution. Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi Embassy in Tehran in retaliation to the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
The 399-run sixth wicket partnership between Stokes and Bairstow was the second highest partnership for England, coming nearly after 48-years of the partnership of 411-runs between Peter May and Colin Cowdrey, in 1957, against West Indies. Also, Stokes battered 130 runs off just 74 balls in the morning session for a new test record for the most runs by a batsman in a session before lunch.
Stokes shattered plenty of records and put England on top with this wonderful display in his magnificent knock of 258 off 198 balls, which included 30 fours and 11 sixes.
Ben Stokes put his team in a dominating position as he smashed the fastest double century by an England batsman in Tests.
The South African bowlers had no answer to a relentless assault, which started with 45 runs scored off the first four overs of the day, bowled by Morne Morkel and Chris Morris.
The uncomplicated approach allowed Stokes to dominate top-ranked South Africa at home in a way few players have done over the last couple of years.
Stokes then took the wicket of South Africa opener Dean Elgar for 44, as the world’s number one ranked outfit reached 133 for two in reply.
Afterwards Stokes told Sky Sports: “I can’t really believe what I did”.
Hales, playing in his second Test match, hit 60 – his maiden Test half-century – and shared stands of 55 with opening partner Alastair Cook and 74 for the second wicket with Compton.
The carnage continued after lunch with Bairstow joining in the party to finish unbeaten on 150. Yes, this is a Test match before you ask. In nine hours, he scored 309 to set up victory against India’s arch-rivals by an innings and 52 runs and also become India’s first triple centurion.
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Joe Root gave De Villiers a life, dropping the South African dangerman on five off the bowling of the fit-again James Anderson.
