England v South Africa: Ben Stokes says second Test win sets 'benchmark'
Beaten by a round at Lord's, England triumphed in three days at Emirates Old Trafford to equalize the series and place a decision-maker at the Kia Oval.
"It was an amazing team performance," Stokes said , who was man of the match for his 103 and four wickets.
"The way we bounced back after Lord's disappointment was very nice."
After taking a 264 lead in the first innings, the England beat South Africa for 179 on Saturday to claim their fifth win in six Tests.
It was almost an exact reversal of their loss in the first Test, when they battled for 165 and 149 to be defeated in three days.
"W We completely forgot about that performance," Stokes said. "The way we bowled, bowled and lined up in this game was the benchmark of the standards we set."
Although England secured four successive victories in swashbuckling style at the start of the summer, this was perhaps their most comprehensive performance since Stokes took over as captain.
They cheaply returned South Africa twice in contrasting circumstances: a wet and cloudy first day after Proteas won the toss, then again in undermining conditions on a dry Saturday with the ball the other way.
Meanwhile, England dodged their ultra-aggressive batting from the start of the season to crush a declared 415-9, with Stokes and Ben Foakes making hundreds.
"What we did incredibly well with the bat was to assess that it was a wicket that we could not take out the way we talked, which I think is real progress for this side,” Stokes said.
"We managed to rise to the occasion at every opportunity. I'm very, very pleased with the performance."
England had to overcome stubborn resistance from the 'South Africa forward surging to victory on night three.
James Anderson and Ollie Robinson shared the five last wickets for seven runs on 30. Anderson moved to 951 international wickets, the most by a pace bowler and another record for the 40-year-old.
"Every time I play cricket it might be my last, so I'm just enjoying the experience," Anderson told BBC Test Match Special.
"I could retire tomorrow and be thrilled - but I'm not!"
Africa's decision South ue to include two spinners was justified by the behavior of the field, but they ultimately paid the price of being bo beat 151 in the first innings after choosing to hit in difficult conditions.
"We didn't beat particularly well," captain Dean Elgar said. "The ball has moved, but it's test cricket and we have to deal with it.
" The pitch deteriorated like we thought it would, but our first inning hitter let us down."
The third test begins on September 8, with Stokes saying the prospect of a series decider is "very exciting".
"Both teams have everything to play for," he said. "We'll get a lot of confidence from this game, but we know South Africa will throw everything at us."
Beaten by a round at Lord's, England triumphed in three days at Emirates Old Trafford to equalize the series and place a decision-maker at the Kia Oval.
"It was an amazing team performance," Stokes said , who was man of the match for his 103 and four wickets.
"The way we bounced back after Lord's disappointment was very nice."
After taking a 264 lead in the first innings, the England beat South Africa for 179 on Saturday to claim their fifth win in six Tests.
It was almost an exact reversal of their loss in the first Test, when they battled for 165 and 149 to be defeated in three days.
"W We completely forgot about that performance," Stokes said. "The way we bowled, bowled and lined up in this game was the benchmark of the standards we set."
Although England secured four successive victories in swashbuckling style at the start of the summer, this was perhaps their most comprehensive performance since Stokes took over as captain.
They cheaply returned South Africa twice in contrasting circumstances: a wet and cloudy first day after Proteas won the toss, then again in undermining conditions on a dry Saturday with the ball the other way.
Meanwhile, England dodged their ultra-aggressive batting from the start of the season to crush a declared 415-9, with Stokes and Ben Foakes making hundreds.
"What we did incredibly well with the bat was to assess that it was a wicket that we could not take out the way we talked, which I think is real progress for this side,” Stokes said.
"We managed to rise to the occasion at every opportunity. I'm very, very pleased with the performance."
England had to overcome stubborn resistance from the 'South Africa forward surging to victory on night three.
James Anderson and Ollie Robinson shared the five last wickets for seven runs on 30. Anderson moved to 951 international wickets, the most by a pace bowler and another record for the 40-year-old.
"Every time I play cricket it might be my last, so I'm just enjoying the experience," Anderson told BBC Test Match Special.
"I could retire tomorrow and be thrilled - but I'm not!"
Africa's decision South ue to include two spinners was justified by the behavior of the field, but they ultimately paid the price of being bo beat 151 in the first innings after choosing to hit in difficult conditions.
"We didn't beat particularly well," captain Dean Elgar said. "The ball has moved, but it's test cricket and we have to deal with it.
" The pitch deteriorated like we thought it would, but our first inning hitter let us down."
The third test begins on September 8, with Stokes saying the prospect of a series decider is "very exciting".
"Both teams have everything to play for," he said. "We'll get a lot of confidence from this game, but we know South Africa will throw everything at us."
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