Ben Stokes has heaped praise on his England team after they defeated South Africa by an innings and 85 runs at Old Trafford.
The home side lost in similar circumstances at Lord's earlier this month, increasing the pressure on Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum as they attempt to play an expansive brand of cricket.
Although they were helped by South Africa surprisingly choosing to bat on Thursday, England took full advantage of the overcast conditions to control the second Test.
Despite starting day three on 23-0, South Africa were already in survival mode given the size of the deficit, but England took three wickets before lunch to move closer to victory.
To South Africa's credit, a fourth-wicket stand of 87 runs across 43 overs helped lower the mood in the England camp and in the crowd, Keegan Petersen (42) and Rassie van der Dussen (41) each digging in for their side.
However, once they were each removed by Stokes, the writing was on the wall even with Kyle Verreynne (17*) and Simon Harmer (16) putting up further resistance.
The moment we levelled the Test series! 💪
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 27, 2022
🏴 #ENGvSA 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/FKC7QHoZ0T
In the end, however, England were clinical winners with Ollie Robinson (4-43) and James Anderson (3-30) the pick of the bowlers on Saturday.
Stokes would come out with the Player of the Match Award, his match bowling figures of 4-44 being complemented by his 103 with the bat in the first innings.
Speaking to BBC Test Match Special, Stokes said: "Amazing. It was set up wonderfully by the way we played in the first innings, and we just flew in and gave it our all today. One of the most impressive things was the fact we never let up.
"Ben Foakes should have been man of the match really - seven catches, a match-defining innings. He is a delight to have there."
Foakes made 113 not out, recording his first-ever Test century in England, and the team will now look towards the third Test at the Oval which starts on September 8.
