Ben Stokes hit the fastest double century for England, the second fastest in history, on an enthralling day two of the second Test with South Africa in Cape Town.
Stokes, in his 21st Test, resumed on 74 and raced to 200 in 163 balls to beat Ian Botham’s 220-ball record.
Jonny Bairstow (150) struck his maiden Test century and shared in a stand of 399, the highest sixth-wicket partnership ever in Test cricket.
Stokes was finally dismissed for 258 as England added 312 within 39 overs and declared on 629-6, with South Africa reaching 141-2 in reply.
Only New Zealand’s Nathan Astle has reached a Test double hundred more quickly than Stokes, off 153 balls against England in 2002.
England, 1-0 up in the four-match series and resuming on 317-5, added 196 in 25 overs in a thrilling morning session – in which Stokes scored 130, the most anyone has ever scored in a morning session of a Test match.
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