Amla: First among SA’s equals

Hashim Amla hit the highest Test score by a South African with an unbeaten 311 to put his side within sight of a crushing victory over England on the fourth day of the first Test at the Oval on Sunday. At the close England were 102 for four in their second innings, still trailing by 150 runs.

Jacques Kallis stroked an unbeaten 182, his 43rd Test century, as South Africa reached a commanding 637 for two before declaring at tea. Amla surpassed the previous record of 278 by team mate AB de Villiers.

The batsmen's marathon efforts were then supported by the bowers as England lost Alastair Cook (0), Jonathan Trott (10), Kevin Pietersen (16) and Andrew Strauss (27) before the close.

Cook edged a probing ball on off stump from Vernon Philander to wicketkeeper de Villiers, Trott fell in similar fashion to Dale Steyn, while Pietersen was bowled by a straight delivery from Morne Morkel and Strauss top-edged a sweep to square leg off Imran Tahir.

South Africa, who will leapfrog England at the top of the world rankings if they win the three-match series, now have an excellent chance of taking a 1-0 lead going to Headingley for the second test on August 2. Their skipper Graeme Smith set the tone on Saturday with 131 in his 100th Test match.

Amla came to the crease on Friday at 3.07 p.m. and was still there at 3.40 p.m. two days later. He combined in a partnership of 377 with Kallis which was the highest-ever stand for the third wicket in a test in England.

England wilted in the bright sunshine as their bowlers toiled on a lifeless pitch that was still good to bat on and showed scant evidence of deterioration. They were unable to apply any pressure on the Proteas' batsmen for the third day running, after their innings began on Friday afternoon.

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