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Amla, Kallis pile on the runs for South Africa

By AFP
South Africa South Africa were 514 for two at lunch, a first innings lead of 129, with Amla unbeaten on 251 and Kallis on 125.  By Ian Kington AFP
JUL 22, 2012 LISTEN
South Africa were 514 for two at lunch, a first innings lead of 129, with Amla unbeaten on 251 and Kallis on 125. By Ian Kington (AFP)

LONDON (AFP) - Hashim Amla completed a double century and Jacques Kallis made a century as South Africa continued to pile on the runs on the fourth day of the first Test match against England at the Oval on Sunday.

South Africa were 514 for two at lunch, a first innings lead of 129, with Amla unbeaten on 251 and Kallis on 125.

It was another morning of toil for the England bowlers, who conceded two successive double century partnerships for the first time in their 924-Test history.

Amla and Kallis added an unbeaten 254 for the third wicket, following a record second wicket stand of 259 between Amla and captain Graeme Smith on Saturday.

It was another relentless performance by the South African batsmen on a dry pitch which has yet to deteriorate to the extent expected earlier in the match.

They added only 36 runs in the first hour but with Amla having completed his second Test double century and Kallis his 43rd century they picked up the pace to add another 75 runs in the second hour.

Amla reached his double century off 392 runs and needed only another 53 deliveries to reach 250. His innings included 29 fours. He was only two runs short of his career best score of 253 not out against India in Nagpur in 2009/10.

Kallis took 227 balls to notch his eighth century against England. Six were scored in South Africa and it was only his second hundred in four tours of England. When he was on 121 he reached 2000 runs in Tests against England. Scoreboard

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