Second Test. SA v England. Cape Town, Jan 2-6

[Aidan11]

As long as we're scoring this quickly, there is no reason to declare.

I have an awful feeling Cook will declare when Stokes gets to 250.

[Aidan11]

Bairstow outscoring Ben here.

Highest 6th wicket partnership of all time in tests.

[alfie]

As long as we're scoring this quickly, there is no reason to declare.

True...but there comes a point where they won't really need any more runs : as if they bowl SA out quickly , fine , send them in again...but , if they respond to , say , 650 with 400 then you may not want to enforce the follow on , but bat again just to rest your bowlers.
In which case , they would need the resting time more than the runs , if you see what I mean...

I think they'll declare in time for a short burst before tea. So in about twenty minutes. Or alternatively , about thirty minutes after tea.

They'll have to declare because poor SA can't take a trick - or a catch !

[Aidan11]

What a drop.

[backfootpunch]

Two things almost always happen in these situations

Dropped catches and then a top order batting collapse once a declaration comes

[Aidan11]

This pair have scored 293 runs already today. Just 24 short of the 317 scored in a full day yesterday.

[Aidan11]

250 Ben.

[KipperJohn]

Remarkable day - well played Stokes and Bairstow!

Both showing too how important fitness is playing with such power in this heat - and Stokes has had some injury niggles of late!

250 for Stokes as I type!!

[Gingerfinch]

Has Stokes been told he's got X amount of time to get to 300?

[Aidan11]

Unfortunate way to end it.

[alfie]

250 for Ben.

Poor Rabada under the cosh here...and the ultimate anti climax as AB drops him ...and then runs him out

Probably the only way he was going to be dismissed...

What an innings

[Aidan11]

399 the partnership.

[Aidan11]

150 for jonny and there's the declaration.

[alfie]

And 150 for Jonny...

And declaration , as I expected.

[Gingerfinch]

So close to a 400 run stand.

We'll be declaring soon.