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HASHIM Amla turned the first Test against England on its head yesterday as he became the first South African to pass 300 runs in an innings and laid the foundation for a remarkable push for victory.

Amla bettered the previous best score by a South African - 278 by team mate AB de Villiers, and became only the sixth person to score a test triple hundred in England following Don Bradman, Leonard Hutton, John Edrich, Bobby Simpson and Graham Gooch.

“I didn’t dream about getting 300, although you would love to,” Amla told reporters at the end of the fourth day.

“I’ve always been a person who never sets goals and I think that helps, because you can keep going and going without being limited by having set something up.

“With my scoring rate, 300 is usually a very long way off so it only really crossed my mind when I got to 250. I was involved in the game when AB got 278, so I was aware of it, but if I had got out before that, so be it. I’m a firm believer you have just got to keep batting.”

Amla, 29, is a devout Muslim and although it is the holy month of Ramadan, he said he will observe the fast when he returns home to Durban. For now, he is just enjoying the moment.

“I’m just really grateful that I managed to get the highest score by a South African, but what is perhaps more pleasing is that I’m the first guy to get 300 — records will be broken, there’s no doubt about that, so that comes and goes. But I think the biggest pleasure is that the team is in a really dominant position to win this test match. I think that’s the biggest joy.”

Amla drove Tim Bresnan up and over extra cover for four to pass this unique mark. It was his 35th four of the innings of 515 balls, having been at the crease for close to 13 hours.

• South Africa declared at 637 for two, a lead of 252 after a day of record-breaking batting.

Then a brilliant display of fast bowling on a flat pitch and a great spell by Imran Tahir left England struggling at 102 for four.

- Additional reporting by Reuters

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Wed Jun 19 19:59:11 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 23, 2012

KingMa

Congratulations Amla, you have made SA proud, i am glad you made the English toil under the sun
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Jul 23, 2012

WarrenG

Lovely work Hashim, you are a true champion! Congrats
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Jul 23, 2012

kendlyboy

Thats beyond excellent...congratulation Hashim Alma you've made us proud as South Africans and I fairly understant that its a muselm month which cums with its blessing.. make those Englishman toil.
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Jul 23, 2012

MicaParis

Well if I was the coach after that magnificent display I could have declared as well. Congratulation Amla, I thought that must be the best in the World!? I wish Bafana Bafana were that better!! Well obviously the first test is in our bag, 102 for 4 already with South Africa having to bet for the second inning, well I do not see the English coming back from even the 252 deficit we have brilliant bowlers who will seal the game for us before the English reach the 252 deficit mark! Congratulations for the Proteas it is not easy to beat England at the Oval and they are currently number one test ranking team, how sweet to beat them at their home ground. That proved nothing but brilliance for the Proteas big up boys you really did us proud!
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Jul 23, 2012

Lehido

Bosso ke mang?...Hashim
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Jul 23, 2012

Sante

Congrats Boss, Mara I Wonder Wer He Got That Energy Coz Wafasta Die Man...
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Jul 23, 2012

mathopeed

Congratz AMLA, you never dissappoint at all.
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Jul 23, 2012

mathopeed

Why our SPORTS like Soccer, Boxing atleast and the rests dont succeed. But theirs like Rugby, Cricket, Swimming, Golf and the rests do well locally and internationally?
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Jul 23, 2012

Kgaitsedi-ya-Genaro

Bosso ke Wena man you deserve 3 Bells!!!! Amla has always been my guy and after this u nyukile even worse umngangatho. Eih mara le wena you look 40 not 29 maar its ok.
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Jul 23, 2012

7040360

*stunning*
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