Fired-up Ben Stokes slams second fastest double ton against South Africa

Stokes used mere 163 balls to reach the 200-run mark, laced with 25 boundaries and seven sixes.

New Delhi: England all-rounder Ben Stokes smashed second-fastest double ton in a five-day format on Sunday against South Africa on the second day of 2nd Test at Newlands, Cape Town.

Stokes completed his double ton in style by smashing Morne Morkel for a boundary in the last ball of the 109th over.

His breathtaking knock took the breathe away from the South African bowlers.

In his swashbuckling knock, the big-hitter used mere 163 balls to reach the 200-run mark, laced with 25 boundaries and seven sixes.

The record of the fastest double century is held by New Zealand's Nathan Astle, who got it in 153 balls against England in Christchurch in March 2002. Virender Sehwag of India had held the earlier record for the second-fastest double ton when he smashed it off 168 balls against Sri Lanka in Mumbai in 2009.

With Jonny Bairstow, Stokes has already added 290 runs for the 6th wicket, which has become the highest run-stand for the wicket on this ground.

At lunch, Stokes was unbeaten on 204, alongside Bairstow (95*) as England have reached 513 for five in their first innings.

Bairstow is five runs shy of reaching his first Test three-figure mark.

After winning the first Test, England are again in a strong position against the hosts in the 2nd Test as well.