By Andy Wilson
Ben Stokes treated the Pretoria township of Mamelodi to a stunning display of clean hitting as England Lions pressed to secure their one-day series against South Africa A today.
The Durham all-rounder smashed an unbeaten 151 from 86 balls including 15 sixes, several of which sailed out of the ground and into the township itself.
Stokes plundered four of his maximums in the last over of the innings from Marchant de Lange as the Lions, who are 2-0 up in the series, piled up 378 for six in their 50 overs.
Ben Stokes not out 151 from 86 balls with 15 sixes, four in the last over #EngLionspic.twitter.com/Mpaw1p5vbh
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) February 2, 2015
Jason Roy continued his excellent series with 67 from 72 balls after the Lions had been inserted in cloudy conditions with some dampness in the pitch.
Roy put on 74 for the second wicket with James Vince, then Jonny Bairstow joined Stokes to add 92 in 14 overs for the fourth.
But it was when Sam Billings joined Stokes that the innings went into overdrive. Billings improvised brilliantly to make 56 from 33 balls with five fours and three sixes in a partnership of 132 inside 12 overs with Stokes.
Bat raised and high fives - @benstokes38 walks off after hitting 151* for #EngLionshttps://t.co/iw2d5isJKX
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) February 2, 2015