5 best batting knocks from England - South Africa Series

#1 Ben Stokes- 122 at the Oval, 3rd Test

Stokes was brutal and at his best in his counter-attacking punch

South Africa arrived at the Oval after annihilating England in the second Test by 340 runs and had the hosts reduced to 120/4 in the first session of the third Test.

The momentum was with South Africa, the conditions favored their bowlers and they were threatening to take the game as well as the series away from England. And then Ben Stokes happened.

The left-hander started cautiously and stitched a crucial 63 run partnership with Alistair Cook for the fourth wicket and then raised the tempo by adding quick runs along with Jonny Bairstow.

All through his innings, Stokes kept on attacking the South African bowlers and pushed England's first innings score away from South Africa's reach.

He was brutal with the pulls and flicks and his drives reflected sheer power. Francois du Plessis tried all his options but in vain, watching helplessly as Stokes earned the momentum back and dismantled the Proteas bowling attack.

The biggest blow came against Keshav Maharaj who was collared for three consecutive sixes. These three sixes brought Stokes' hundred and also England's 350 but more importantly, it dented South Africa's morale and by the time Stokes' carnage was finished, South Africa was done and dusted.