Hashim Amla became the first South Africa batsman to score 300 in a Test match when he reached the landmark against England on the fourth day of the first Test at The Oval here on Sunday.
In the process he broke the previous South Africa individual Test innings record of teammate AB de Villiers, who made 278 not out against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in November 2010.Amla was on 311 not out when South Africa captain Graeme Smith declared his side’s first innings on a mammoth 637 for two; a lead of 252 runs.In all, Amla faced 529 balls and struck 35 fours in what was the 29-year-old’s 15th Test century, which far exceeded his previous personal highest of 253 not out against India at Nagpur in 2010.Leading Test scores by South Africa batsmen:Hashim Amla 311 no v England The Oval 2012AB de Villiers 278 no v Pakistan Abu Dhabi 2010Graeme Smith 277 v England Birmingham 2003Daryll Cullinan 275 no v New Zealand Auckland 1999Gary Kirsten 275 v England Durban 1999Graeme Pollock 274 v Australia Durban 1970
AFP