Cape Town: Ben Stokes unleashed a flurry of attacking strokes late in the afternoon to give England the edge on the first day of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands on Saturday.


England's Benjamin Stokes celebrates his 50 against South Africa on Saturday. Pic/AFP 

England were 317 for five at the close, with the left-handed Stokes on 74 not out. An injury-depleted South African bowling attack, spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada, kept England in check for much of a hot, cloudless day on a batsman-friendly pitch.