Ben Foakes hails ‘very, very special’ hundred after helping England take control of the second Test

Ben Foakes spoke of his delight after he and Ben Stokes both scored centuries as England took control of the second LV=Insurance Test against South Africa in Manchester.

The England wicketkeeper finished unbeaten on 113, while Stokes made 103 in a huge total of 415 for nine declared. The tourists then finished the second day on 23 without loss, still 241 adrift.

Foakes had waited nearly four years to score his second Test century after starting his career with a hundred in Sri Lanka. And that made his innings here all the sweeter against a powerful South African attack.

England’s Ben Foakes finished unbeaten on 113 in a huge total of 415 for nine declared

‘It was tough out there,’ he said. ‘It was just a sense of relief. I’m overjoyed, really. Since my first game, I’ve found hundreds aren’t easy to come by in Test cricket, so this one for me is very, very special.

‘Since my debut, a lot’s gone on, with difficult phases and injuries and time on the sidelines. That makes you appreciate and value the opportunity to get another one. Today was amazing.’

England had stumbled slightly to 147 for five in reply to South Africa’s first-innings 151 when Foakes joined his captain – and proceeded to add a match-changing 173 in 64 overs, a partnership that grew in assurance after a tough start against South Africa’s spinners.

‘I was facing Maharaj a lot, and he was facing Harmer a lot, so it was really hard to get away. Ben was quite clear. He said that we can absorb pressure as well – this is a difficult phase. Let’s score where we can and be busy, but don’t do anything stupid.

The England wicketkeeper had waited nearly four years to score his second Test century

‘Then he raced away from 50 to 100, which put it back on them and let me bat. It was awesome.’

Foakes admitted he had spoken to his Surrey team-mate Ollie Pope and coach Brendon McCullum after failing twice with the bat during England’s innings defeat at Lord’s.

He added: ‘I looked at Rooty’s game as well. I’m not like Jonny Bairstow or Stokesy, who can muscle it over the boundary. I have to do it my way and not think I can hit it into Row Z. I have to scrap for twos and hit it into pockets.

‘To be honest, in my first 10 games I was thinking: “Jeez, how hard is Test cricket?” But getting a hundred definitely gives me confidence going forward.’

Foakes and Ben Stokesshared a match-changing sixth wicket partnership of 173 in 64 overs