LONDON: Hashim Amla set a South African Test record with his innings of 311 not out on the fourth day of the first Test against England at the Oval on Sunday.
In the process he broke the previous South African individual Test innings record of team-mate AB de Villiers, who made 278 not out against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in November 2010.
Amla reached his tally before South Africa captain Graeme Smith declared his side's first innings on a mammoth 637 for two.
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.
His score was the highest by a South African against England, beating the previous record of 277 set by Smith at Lord's in 2003, and was the first triple century scored in a Test in England since Graham Gooch made 333 against India at Lord's in 1990.
In addition, the unbeaten third-wicket partnership of 377 between Amla and Jacques Kallis was an all-wicket record for Tests between England and South Africa.
The previous record of 370 was set by Bill Edrich and Denis Compton for England at Lord's in 1947.
It was the sixth partnership of 200 or more between Amla and Kallis, equalling the world record of six set by Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer of Australia.
Leading Test scores by South Africa batsmen (player, runs, opponents venue, year):
Hashim Amla 311 no v England The Oval 2012
AB de Villiers 278 no v Pakistan Abu Dhabi 2010
Graeme Smith 277 v England Birmingham 2003
Daryll Cullinan 275 no v New Zealand Auckland 1999
Gary Kirsten 275 v England Durban 1999
Graeme Pollock 274 v Australia Durban 1970
(AFP)