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Ben Stokes says England are targeting 2-0 lead in South Africa

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Stokes thinks batting five has given him confidence and improved his England form

England are aiming to pile the pressure on South Africa by taking a 2-0 lead in the second one-day international at St George's Park on Saturday, according to star all-rounder Ben Stokes.

Stokes took a remarkable catch in Bloemfontein two days ago and contributed 57 off 38 balls after Jos Buttler's century created the platform for an England victory in the first ODI.

"If we can play the way we did the other day and emulate the way we went about everything, we should have a chance of going 2-0 up," he said.

"In the longer scheme of the series, if we can do that, then we'll put South Africa right under the pump."

England scored their highest overseas ODI total of 399-9 on Wednesday to win by 39 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method when a thunderstorm ended the game with the hosts on 250-5 after 33.3 overs.

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Stokes thinks batting five has given him confidence and improved his England form

On their last tour here six winters ago, England bowled South Africa out for just 119 on the way to a quickfire seven-wicket success which completed a series victory.

The tourists seem set to stick to their aggressive brand of cricket, which has served them so well since their embarrassing World Cup exit last year - although a Port Elizabeth run-fest is statistically less likely than at the other scheduled venues.

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Stokes credited the coaching of Trevor Bayliss and assistant Paul Farbrace for giving him and his team-mates the confidence to stay on the front foot.

Ben Stokes of England is mobbed by team-mates
Image: Stokes is mobbed by team-mates following his catch

He said: "They've had a big influence on the way we're playing - and since [last summer's series against] New Zealand started, we've played exactly the same way and always wanted to post big totals and be aggressive.

"When you've got coaches backing you to play this attacking brand of cricket it's a big help."

And the confidence is flowing in the field as well, although Stokes played down his sensational one-handed boundary catch which dismissed South Africa skipper AB de Villiers and which has gone viral on the television airwaves and on social media.

Stokes said: "I didn't really think, everything just sort of happened. I thought I'd completely misjudged it and then stuck my hand out and it managed to stick."

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