Record keep tumbling for captain fantastic Hashim Amla

18 December 2014 - 18:51 By Sapa
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Hashim Amla of South Africa celebrates his 150 during day 2 of the 1st Test match between South Africa and West Indies at SuperSport Park on December 18, 2014 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)
Hashim Amla of South Africa celebrates his 150 during day 2 of the 1st Test match between South Africa and West Indies at SuperSport Park on December 18, 2014 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)

Hashim Amla notched up the highest score for a South African captain on home soil with his knock of 208, as the Proteas reached 552 for five declared at tea on day two of the first Test against the West Indies in Centurion on Thursday.

His score was also the highest ever at the ground, and against the West Indies in all Tests between the nations.

Not to be left out, Stiaan van Zyl brought up his maiden Test century on debut as he shared in a 155 run stand from 221 balls with Amla for the fifth wicket.

Amla was dropped on 180 shortly after the lunch break as the Proteas batsman attempted to clear midwicket, but Leon Johnson could not take the diving catch.

The 371 ball stay at the crease, lasting seven hours and 56 minutes, came to an end for Amla when he was caught on the long on boundary off the bowling of Sulieman Benn. In total, Amla struck 22 fours in his record-breaking innings.

Van Zyl ended 101 not out from 130 balls, striking 15 fours when the declaration came. Quinton de Kock was also unbeaten, on 18 at the other end.

With 20 minutes left in the session, rain started to fall and tea was taken early while the covers came on the ground.

In the first session of play, AB de Villiers was out for 152 from 235 balls, playing a flashy drive off Benn and was caught at point to bring an end to his stay at the wicket.

De Villiers finished with 16 fours and two sixes as he managed a commendable strike rate of 64 against a tiring West Indies attack.

The wicket also brought down the curtain on the 308-run record fourth wicket partnership in Tests for South Africa between Amla and De Villiers.

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