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Amla piles on more record-breaking England agony

SOUTHAMPTON — Hashim Amla inflicted another record-breaking hundred upon England with a majestic innings of 150 in the second one-day international in Southampton on Tuesday.

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.

After South Africa captain AB de Villiers won the toss in this day/night clash, the Proteas managed 11 runs in the first five overs before upping the tempo in the second of a five-match series after Friday’s washout in Cardiff.

Patel, in for Chris Woakes, was driven through the covers for four by Amla.

The opening partnership ended when left-hander Smith charged at first change Tim Bresnan and top-edged a pull, caught by Kieswetter, for 52 with five fours.

After JP Duminy and Dean Elgar, bowled by a well-flighted Swann delivery, both fell cheaply, de Villiers — dropped on one by Kieswetter — helped Amla add 65 before he too was bowled by Swann.

Francois du Plessis then played second fiddle to Amla in a fifth-wicket stand of 55 in 36 balls.