Amla makes century, De Villiers falls for 88

Stokes’ share was 130 off 74 balls, a new record for individual runs scored before lunch on any day of a Test. He beat the 123 by Leslie Ames for England against South Africa at The Oval in 1935. I think it’s going to take a very good morning session from us to be able to put South Africa under pressure on that last day but we’re not ruling it out.

With South Africa in a slump, Amla’s lack of form and captaincy had come under scrutiny. He also surpassed the highest Test score by an Englishman at Newlands – Jack Hobbs’ 187 in 1910 – and his 11 sixes was the most by an Englishman in a Test, beating the tally of ten set by Walter Hammond in 1933. By the close he had batted for nine hours and 26 minutes and had faced 371 balls.

The all-rounder was merciless after reaching his century off 105 balls with an elegant cover drive for three – his innings comprising 16 fours and one six at that point.

“People don’t mean to drop catches and if you let your shoulders slump in situations like that it can be hard to come back from it”, said Finn, who finally dismissed De Villiers caught at mid-wicket for 88 and claimed 1-82 from 26 overs.

After the worst year of his global career, Amla had two strokes of luck.

However, it might have been a different story if England had made the most of the chances they created, with Amla being dropped twice – on 76 and 120 – after De Villiers had been put down late on day two having scored just five.

South Africa dropped a couple of their own chances on day two and Finn believes the dynamics of the Newlands ground could be playing a factor.

Both men batted solidly for the most part but had anxious moments which required decisions by television umpire Rod Tucker.

The pair registered a 100-run partnership off 247 balls.

Hashim Amla celebrating his century on day three of the second Test against England in Cape Town. Amla is fifth on the list, with Gary Kirsten ahead of him with 7289 runs in 101 Tests.

He was eventually run out after sharing a Test record sixth-wicket stand of 399 with Jonny Bairstow – who made his maiden Test century – and England declared soon after. De Villiers was given out leg before wicket to Ben Stokes by umpire Aleem Dar when he had 85, but De Villiers immediately sought a review which showed the ball had gone off an inside edge onto his pad.