Stokes relishes once-in-a-lifetime knock
England all-rounder Ben Stokes says he may never play an innings like the one he did on Sunday at Newlands, saying his blistering double century exploits against South Africa still feels unreal.
Stokes made 258 as England recorded 629/6 in well under two days. He started day two on 74, and scored 130 runs in the morning session alone. His stand of 399 with Jonny Bairstow was the highest for the sixth wicket in Tests.
Stokes said after his innings: "I probably won't play like this ever again in my life whilst playing cricket, but I've done it once so at least I can say that.
"I normally say 'crikey' when I get to 30, to be honest, so I kept on looking at the scoreboard.
"I felt a little bit of pressure coming into the game, having not got many runs under my belt before this, so there was a lot more emotion than I normally show when I got to the hundred but I just tried to keep on going.
"It hasn't quite sunk in yet."
When asked about his tactics, Stokes said it was not very complicated: "It was 'see ball, hit ball', I guess.
"I wasn't thinking of any landmarks as I went along, I was just trying to hit as many boundaries as I could because it was too hot to run."
Latest
-
NewsJofra Archer shows flashes of top form on return from injury
Archer continued his return to action in a Second XI County Championship match at Hove.
-
NewsChris Jordan says suspending IPL ‘the right call’ as he awaits return to England
There has already been plenty of debate over whether the tournament should have continued as long as it did during a public health emergency.
-
NewsOn this day in 2011: Alastair Cook was named as England’s new ODI captain
Cook replaced Andrew Strauss, who retired from one-day cricket, while Broad took over from Paul Collingwood.
-
NewsFormer Australian Test cricketer victim of targeted kidnapping, police say
MacGill played 44 Tests for Australia and took 208 wickets.
-
NewsEngland contigent start to return home after IPL postponed due to coronavirus
The majority of England’s players at the tournament are expected to fly home imminently.
-
NewsEnglish contingent aiming to secure flights home with IPL postponed due to Covid
Positive cases in three of the eight franchises effectively proved that the players’ bio-secure bubbles were no longer able to stave off the threat.
-
NewsQ&A: What’s happened to this year’s IPL and what does it all mean?
There are 11 English representatives still involved.
-
NewsIPL postponed with immediate effect amid rising coronavirus cases in India
The BCCI does “not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff and the other participants involved” in organising the tournament.
-
NewsEngland replaced at the top of ODI rankings but keep Twenty20 crown
New Zealand now top the one-day international table, with England down in fourth.
-
NewsYorkshire seal dramatic one-run victory against Northamptonshire at Headingley
Steven Patterson had Wayne Parnell caught behind in a dramatic finish.