Stats: Hashim Amla becomes first South African Test captain to score double hundred in South Africa
South Africa’s Hashim Amla became the first South African Test captain to score a double hundred in Test cricket on home soil, courtesy of his innings of 208 in the first innings of the first Test against West Indies at SuperSport Park, Centurion, earlier today.
West Indies chose to bowl first after winning the toss yesterday, and their decision seemed to have paid rich dividends. They, after all, had the hosts in tatters at 57/3 when Amla stitched together a colossal 308-run partnership with AB de Villiers for the fourth wicket.
They are undoubtedly among the top three batsmen in the world today, and they made their class show as they rendered the hard-working West Indies bowlers ineffective in largely bowling-friendly conditions.
While de Villiers was unable to go on and notch up a double hundred that was there for the taking, being dismissed for 152 off the bowling of Sulieman Benn, Amla was certainly not going to give his wicket away. He went on to score the third double century of his career before falling to the left-arm spin of Benn.
South Africa eventually declared on 552 for 5, with debutant Stiaan van Zyl also piling on the misery with a knock of 101*.
Here are the five highest scores by South African captains in Test matches held in South Africa:
| # | Player | Runs | Opposition | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hashim Amla | 208 | West Indies | Centurion |
| 2 | Graeme Smith | 183 | England | Cape Town |
| 3 | Herbie Taylor | 176 | England | Johannesburg |
| 4 | Graeme Smith | 157 | Bangladesh | Bloemfontein |
| 5 | Graeme Smith | 147 | West Indies | Durban |
*Stats updated till 18 December, 2014