PIX: England lead SA by 241 runs after Stokes, Foakes tons

IMAGES from Day 2 of the 2nd Test played between England and South Africa played in Old Trafford on Friday.

England batsman Ben Stokes celebrates on reaching his century

IMAGE: England batsman Ben Stokes celebrates on reaching his century. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Centuries by England skipper Ben Stokes and Ben Foakes gave the hosts a commanding first innings lead after they declared at 415 for nine, with South Africa trailing by 241 runs at the close on the second day of the second Test on Friday.

The tourists, who lead the three-match series 1-0, reached 23 without loss in their second innings with Sarel Erwee on 12 and Dean Elgar on 11 but they face a tough task as the Old Trafford pitch favours seamers and spinners.

Stokes and wicketkeeper-batsman Foakes had put on a 173-run partnership for the sixth wicket after South African quick Anrich Nortje struck twice to remove England's overnight batsmen during an outstanding opening spell in the morning session.

England's Ben Foakes celebrates his century as Ollie Robinson applauds

IMAGE: England's Ben Foakes reaches his century as Ollie Robinson applauds. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

But Stokes and Foakes then batted positively before lunch to begin building the lead.

Stokes showed his intent by hitting spinner Simon Harmer over mid-wicket for six, while Keshav Maharaj had an lbw decision against Foakes go in his favour only for it to be overturned on review.

After lunch Stokes brought up his half-century by hitting Simon Harmer over mid-on onto the England dressing room balcony but he kept his aggression in check for most of his innings.

Stokes accelerated to his 12th Test ton, reaching the landmark in 158 balls, before he found the leading edge off Kagiso Rabada and was caught by Elgar at cover.

There were cameos from Stuart Broad (21), Ollie Robinson (17) and Jack Leach (11) but Foakes ended unbeaten on 113 after his second career Test century and his first on home soil.

South Africa wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne looks on as Ben Stokes reverse sweeps

IMAGE: South Africa wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne looks on as Ben Stokes reverse sweeps. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Skipper Ben Stokes was on 98 at tea as he led a dominant England to a lead of 157 runs over South Africa on the second day of the second Test at Old Trafford on Friday.

England were 308 for five with Stokes two short of his 12th Test century having played the lead role in a 161-run partnership with Ben Foakes (61).

The pair came together after South African quick bowler Anrich Nortje struck twice to remove both England's overnight batsmen during an outstanding opening spell in the morning session.

South Africa bowler Anrich Nortje celebrates after taking the wicket of Jonny Bairstow

IMAGE: South Africa bowler Anrich Nortje celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Jonny Bairstow. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Earlier, England reached 212 for five and a lead of 61 runs by lunch on the second day of the second Test against South Africa at Old Trafford on Friday.

South African quick bowler Anrich Nortje struck twice to remove both England's overnight batsmen during an outstanding opening spell in the morning session.

Jonny Bairstow fell one run short of his half century, with Nortje adding reverse swing to his top pace and the Yorkshireman edging to Sarel Erwee at first slip.

England's Zak Crawley heads back to the pavilion after losing his wicket

IMAGE: England's Zak Crawley heads back to the pavilion after losing his wicket. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Another fine delivery ended the solid contribution of 38 from under-scrutiny England opening batsman Zak Crawley, with Nortje's perfect line inducing an edge to keeper Kyle Verreynne.

That meant England were on 147-5, still four runs behind South Africa's first innings total. But skipper Ben Stokes (34) and Ben Foakes (33) then batted positively before lunch to begin building the lead.

England's Ben Stokes tweaks his left knee as the physio checks on him

IMAGE: England's Ben Stokes tweaks his left knee as the physio checks on him. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Stokes showed his intent by hitting spinner Simon Harmer over mid-wicket for six, while Keshav Maharaj had an lbw decision against Foakes go in his favour only for it to be overturned on review.

South Africa lead the three Test series 1-0 after their victory in the opening match at Lords.