Ben Stokes driven to Cape Town heroics by thoughts of recovering father

The England allrounder produced a man-of-the-match display to help level the series - a performance which came amid his dad Ged remaining in hospital

• Scorecard
• Player ratings
• Day 5 talking points

England's talisman Ben Stokes has revealed his man-of-the-match performance in the second Test victory over South Africa in Cape Town was inspired by his ill father.

Dad Ged remain in hospital in Johannesburg having been admitted prior to Christmas but his condition continues to improve.

But Stokes showed no signs of being affected by the episode, with a stellar display as the tourists levelled the series.

The Durham man scored 121 runs, completed six catches and took the final three South Africa second innings wickets to help complete a 189-run victory with less than nine overs remaining in the match.

"This year can only really go downhill from here after that," the 28-year-old admitted.

"I’ve had a few knee issues and stuff like that, but this game here I’ve got the three lions on my chest which is such a proud thing to be standing on a field doing.

"But I always had my dad in the back of my mind and that took any injury worries or niggles out of my head. 

^{Ged Stokes continues to recover in a Johannesburg hospital}

"I was thinking that he came out here to watch me and unfortunately he’s not been able to, so there was a lot more in my efforts this game, doing it for him. 

"I haven’t managed to speak to him yet but hopefully I’ve made him proud. I had a text off Mum but I haven’t read it yet."

Stokes struck three times during his five-over spell towards the end of day five, having insisted to captain Joe Root that he would bowl himself into the ground in search of victory.

He added: "The more experienced you get, the more understanding of games you have. I said: 'You’re not getting the ball out of my hand here until this day is done.' 

"It was one last push for this Test match. We have a few days off here so whether that game went a bit longer, I was running in and trying to put everything into every ball."