England’s Ben Stokes ‘proud’ of historic innings
England’s Ben Stokes said he felt “under pressure” before his record-breaking double century on day two of the second Test against South Africa.
Stokes’ 258 in Cape Town included reaching 200 in 163 balls, the fastest double century by an England batsman and the second fastest of all time.
“I haven’t really done much for a while so it was nice to kick on and make a big score,” he said.
“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,” he added.
“I normally say ‘crikey’ when I get to 30, to be honest, so I kept on looking at the scoreboard.
Stokes, whose 11 sixes was the most by an England batsman in a Test innings, hit 130 runs in the morning session as the tourists flayed South Africa for 629-6 declared.
When he was finally dismissed, Stokes had reached the highest ever score by a Test number six, beating Doug Walters’ 250 for Australia against New Zealand in 1977.
He was eventually run out after sharing a Test record sixth-wicket stand of 399 with Jonny Bairstow – who made his maiden Test century – and England declared soon after.
“Cookie [captain Alastair Cook] sent a message out when we were 600, saying: ‘630 or do you want to go on for 300?’
“I said it doesn’t really matter because I’m just trying to hit every ball for six anyway.”
