BEN STOKES created a new scene in his dramatic story with the score of his first century as England captain.

Stokes himself was a star in an England victory on the day that a documentary about him was released.

England's victory against South Africa was assured with a win in the second Test.

Stokes was a rare exception. There was nothing foolish or aggressive about Stokes's innings. It was brilliant, flawless batting at an excellent pace.

England's cricket was revived by Stokes and Foakes so well that the score of 43-3 and 475-7 were reduced to 415-9 respectively.

South African openers Dean Elgar & Sarel Erwee reached nine runs at the end the second day. They will resume play this morning with 23-0, still 241 runs behind.

The Stokes film is about his mental health, his death and his time away from cricket last season.

Although there have been many difficult times, this day was one of pure joy for Stokes. He managed to rein in some of the extremes that his batting had displayed this summer. Few could have played better or with more authority than Stokes.

He doesn't forget his dad and he looked up to the heavens to pay tribute to his father, who had his digit amputated to help him continue his rugby league career.

Foakes stated: "Ben is great to bat with, takes the pressure off of you and he really raced away moving from fifty to 100.

"He has a lot going on in his life, and everyone wants a piece. It's also a great movie. He played a very special role.

South Africa's skipper Elgar was a tactical disaster because of his mistaken decision to bat first in the overcast conditions on day 1. Elgar was particularly strangely slow to bowl speedster Anrich Najorte during the crucial moments.

Stokes scored three sixes. The biggest was a big blow off spinner Simon Harmer, which took him to his half century.

His hundred arrived along with a drive back home to Kasigo Racabaa. He ended up accidentally kicking the ball to square leg, allowing Stokes run a single.

Stokes tried a big hit soon after and skied a catch up to mid-off.

Foakes' batting was nearly as smooth and polished as his wicketkeeping. That is quite an accomplishment.

He has had to endure setbacks, such as a torn Achilles tendon last summer after slipping in the Surrey dressing area and a debilitating dose Covid this summer.

He has been criticised for not scoring enough runs at No.7, but his second Test century, which he scored in Sri Lanka almost four years ago, will put an end to those criticisms.

Foakes was a regular with his favorite shots through mid-wicket, and was happy that Elgar seemed reluctant to use Nortje's thunderbolts at 94mph after lunch.

Foakes now has more Test hundreds per innings than Jos Buttler in 100 innings.

The batting was difficult at the beginning. Nortje got Jonny Bairstow out and Zak Crawley out. England resumed on 111-3 and were tied with South Africa's first innings total, which was 151.

England was a clear winner thanks to Stokes and Foakes. England won the sixth wicket with 173.

Stokes was handed out lbw on 72 to Lungi Nyidi, but replays showed an edge. Aiden Markram jumped to his right at cover and dropped Stokes on 92.

Foakes were given out lbw by Keshav Maharaj, but replays revealed that the ball was pitched outside of his legside. He was also missing off.

They were almost in complete control of the situation.

Stokes suffered the most discomfort when his left leg locked up during his innings. He needed treatment for this condition, and not just once in this summer.

Stuart Broad started the game with a straight six. Ollie Robinson hit a few boundaries, Jack Leach scored a four-hit switch and Stuart Broad had his first six. Lower-order players were having a lot of fun.

No.11 James Anderson didn't even both to pad up, and Stokes' declaration made his bowlers have a blast against South Africa's openers. They could not make a breakthrough.