'England can think about a lead after scoring so quickly'
Saturday 16 January 2016 07:35, UK
Ben Stokes 'spooked' South Africa on day two at Wanderers and put England in a promising position in the third Test, says David Lloyd.
Stokes, fresh from his record-breaking 258 in the second game at Cape Town, creamed 58 from 54 balls as the tourists recovered from 91-4 to reach 238-5 at stumps to trail by 75.
Bumble says Stokes, who shared a stand of 111 with Joe Root (106no), shows shades of fellow all-rounders Sir Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff.
But the Sky Cricket expert was less complimentary about South Africa's elder statesmen for the way they dealt with Stokes and Root's onslaught.
"He is an entertainer who brings the same sheer joy, fun and entertainment that Botham and Flintoff brought."
"South Africa were spooked by Stokes," said Bumble, after the Durham star pummelled nine fours and a six before being dismissed by Morne Morkel.
"He is an entertainer who brings the same sheer joy, fun and entertainment that Botham and Flintoff brought.
"He wants to be involved in every aspect of the game, including throwing, backing-up or catching in the field, and he also has the skill to be an artist with the ball.
"Stokes is also brave - Morkel lifted him off his feet with the first two deliveries he faced, but he just said 'okay, game on, what else have you got?'"
"The senior players offered nothing when South Africa were going around the park, though, while I would also like to see a leader in the attack.
The quicks, bar Morkel, are inexperienced and they really need a spinner, something they haven't got [having left Dane Pieddt out and gone for four seamers].
"South Africa needed this break but what's good for England is that there is still a long time and lots of overs until the new ball.
"Having scored so quickly until this point, if they can build partnerships on Saturday they can think about getting a lead."
Watch day three of the third Test from 7.45am, Saturday, Sky Sports 2.
