Amla hits century in 100th Test against Sri Lanka

By AFP

Africa

JAN 12, 2017 LISTEN

South Africa batsman Hashim Amla celebrates his century in his hundredth Test during the third match against Sri Lanka at Wanderers Cricket Stadium in Johannesburg on January 12, 2017. By Marco LONGARI (AFP)

Johannesburg (AFP) - Hashim Amla made a century in his 100th Test match as he and JP Duminy put South Africa in command on the first day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Amla became the eighth player to achieve the feat and the second South African after former captain Graeme Smith.

JP Duminy also hit a century as the pair took their third wicket partnership past 250. They came together when South Africa were 45 for two at the Wanderers Stadium.

Sri Lanka celebrate the wicket of South Africa opening batsman Dean Elgar (not shown) during the third Test at Wanderers Cricket Stadium in Johannesburg on January 12, 2017

Amla struggled early in his innings and took 109 balls to reach 50 but then blossomed with his second half-century scored off 60 balls. It was his 26th Test century.