Hashim Amla steered South Africa to a win against England in the second one-day international in Southampton on Tuesday. Hashim Amla inflicted another record-breaking hundred upon England with a majestic innings of 150 as England was bowled out at 207 in 40.4 overs. Earlier, Amla’s 150, the highest individual score in one-day matches between the two countries, was the cornerstone of South Africa’s 287 for five.
His tenth hundred at this level surpassed team-mate Graeme Smith’s 141 in Centurion three years ago as the largest solo effort in South Africa-England one-dayers and was also Amla’s personal best, overtaking the 140 he made against Bangladesh in Benoni in 2008. England’s attack must be sick of the sight of Amla, who made a South Africa record 311 not out in the first Test at The Oval last month and another hundred as the Proteas sealed the three-match series 2-0 with victory at Lord’s just over a week ago.
That South Africa didn’t make 300 was largely down to Nottinghamshire spinners Graeme Swann, who took two for 50 in his 10 overs, and recalled left-armer Samit Patel, unlucky to go wicketless in a 10-over spell costing 47. Opener Amla was in sight of the rare distinction of carrying his bat in a one-day match when, two balls before the end of the innings, he uppercut fast bowler Steven Finn to Tim Bresnan. The ball before the stylish Amla gave himself room to work the ball down to third man for a four that took him to 150. Amla faced 124 balls with 16 boundaries but was missed on 92 when wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter failed to hold a difficult but catchable legside chance off Finn.
