#OTD in 2012: Hashim Amla became the first South Africa batter to score a Test triple century

On this day in 2012, South Africa batter Hashim Amla remained unbeaten on 311 in the first Test fixture of the England Tour at The Oval. In this pursuit, he also became the first Proteas player to reach triple figure mark in the longest format. 

Ahead of this series, South Africa were coming after a 1-0 victory on the New Zealand tour. On the other hand, the English team had secured a 2-nil win in the home series against West Indies. 

Unfortunately, Mark Boucher sustained an eye injury in a Tour match against Somerset, and AB de Villiers replaced him in the Proteas XI. 

South Africa takes a lead of 252 in the first innings 

Opting to bat first, the English team scored 385 on the back of contributions from Sir Alastair Cook (115) and Matt Prior (60). Morne Morkel scalped four wickets and was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa. 

Afterwards, James Anderson trapped Alviro Petersen for a duck in the third over. However, Graeme Smith and Amla negated the threat of fast bowlers and gained momentum as their innings progressed. 

Both batters looked impregnable until the end of Day 2, with South Africa at 86/1. 

In the following day (22 July), Smith was dismissed by Tim Bresnan for a well-made 131. Then, Jacques Kallis came at the crease and formed a strong partnership with Amla. 

None of the bowlers looked effective in front of Amla, who displayed his sheer class and terrific wrist work.

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Amla reached his triple century by a confident lofted shot over the covers, which fetched him a boundary. 

He broke AB de Villiers’ record of 278, which came in 2010 against Pakistan. 

The previous best for Amla in Test matches was 253*, which came against India at Nagpur in 2010. 

South Africa declared the innings on 637/2, with Amla at 311* and Kallis remaining unbeaten at 182*. 

Proteas start the series with a big victory

Although Ian Bell (55) and Matt Prior (40) tried well, the Three Lions succumbed to the lethal pace bowling of Dale Steyn, who finished with a five-wicket haul.

England were all-out for 240, and South Africa won the 1st Test by an innings and 12 runs. 

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