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England 269 & 391-8 dec; SA 223 & 248 – England win by 189 runs• Ben Stokes takes last three wickets to wrap up second TestBen Stokes had a very satisfactory 2019. Well, 2020 has not started too badly either. With the shadows lengthening under Table Mountain on the fifth evening of a memorable match it was, inevitably, Stokes who sealed a famous England victory by 189 runs. He was the man to snatch the last three wickets just when it seemed that a determined
South Africa side might hang on for a draw.
Hard-fought victories are the most satisfying and England had to toil for 137.4 overs for this one. They were hampered by an injury to Jimmy Anderson, a pitch that stubbornly declined to deteriorate under a hot sun and some gutsy batting from the home side. With 12 overs remaining South Africa were 241 for seven and Stokes had a ball that was 54 overs old in his hand as he ran in from the Wynberg End. Throughout an arduous day England had eked out five batsmen but Dwaine Pretorius and Vernon Philander, the batsmen at the crease, were capable obstacles.