Cricket: Ben Stokes inspires England to stunning test win against gutsy South Africa

Ben Stokes has once again inspired England to a thrilling test match victory, taking three wickets in 14 balls in the final session to see off a dogged South Africa.

The 189-run win in the second test at Cape Town levelled the series at 1-1 in an enthralling match that saw the tourists clinch victory with just 8.1 overs to spare.

Not only was it England's first success at the famous Newlands ground since 1957, the drama was also an outstanding advert for the long-form story-telling that is five-day test cricket - a format in danger of being curtailed by administrators.

Starting the day chasing eight wickets to square the series, Joe Root's side still needed five after tea, as the Proteas dug deep on a passive surface.

At various stages, it seemed a doomed pursuit in sapping heat, but the tourists rallied triumphantly at the death, with Stokes blowing away Dwaine Pretorius and Anrich Nortje with consecutive balls, then finishing off last man Vernon Philander.

Allied to his six catches at second slip - a joint England record among non-wicketkeepers - and the swashbuckling 72 that bought England time in the second innings, this completed yet another remarkable chapter for English sport's hero of the hour.

Philander and Rabada delayed the inevitable for four overs, before a sharp-bouncing delivery from Stokes took the shoulder of the former's bat and flew to Bess at gully.

Stuart Broad was full of praise for Stokes after his brilliant late spell with the ball and also the team's all-round fielding display.

"Stokesy's finish and the catching towards the end is something we've worked a lot towards," Broad said.

"We're very proud of the standard of taking our chances and the character we've shown throughout the test match.

"The pitch slowed down a lot and we had to get a bit more creative. It did spin, but again quite slowly.

"Stokesy's innings yesterday gave us the impetus to have more overs at South Africa and we needed them."

Reuters.