Even by his own standards, it has been some week for Ben Stokes. After baring his soul before the release of his new documentary, outlining the panic attacks he continues to manage, it is back to business for the England Test captain and his team when the second match of the series against South Africa begins on Thursday.
The challenge is considerable. Dean Elgar’s attack scorched their way to the 1-0 lead at Lord’s, Kagiso Rabada setting things up with five wickets in the first innings and Anrich Nortje whistling up some of the quickest spells witnessed from a visitor in recent times. Old Trafford, where the traditional bounce called for Ollie Robinson’s return to the England XI, has Elgar tipping them to “get much better” this week.
