<p><strong>England vs South Africa - 1st Test, Day 4 – Match Update (close of play) - Live Cricket Score and Update</strong></p>
<p class="x_x_teamText"><em><strong>England 385 & 102/4 vs South Africa 637/2d - End of Day 4
</strong></em></p>
<p>South Africa continued to stamp their authority in the First Investec Test of 2012, at the Oval on Sunday. Hashim Amla became the first South African batsman to register a triple century and his efforts were complemented with a fiery spell of bowling which
left England at 102 for four at the close of play.</p>
<p>The overnight duo of Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla forged a partnership of 377 runs which helped the tourists post 637 for 2 at tea. Amla’s triple century consisted of 35 boundaries, which included conventional back foot punches, elegant cover drives and
deft touches onto the leg side. Jacques Kallis resumed on his overnight score of 83 to go on and register his forty-second Test century.</p>
<p>Amla on the other hand, kept on nudging the balls into the gaps. Shades of W.G.Grace were on view as on 298, he managed to loft Tim Bresnan over the covers to rewrite history. A.B. De Villiers’ previous record of 278 not out against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi
was surpassed by this majestic innings. This was the highest individual score ever for South Africa in Test Match Cricket. His partner went on to make a sublime 150 runs, which left the English bowlers in tatters. Four of the bowlers went for over a hundred
runs in their overs, with only James Anderson and Tim Bresnan picking up a wicket.</p>
<p>Kallis and Amla shifted gears remarkably in the latter part of their innings, as a message was received from the pavilion which mandated some extravagant stroke play. At Tea South Africa were comfortably positioned at 637 for 2 and declared with a total
of 43 overs to be bowled in the final session.</p>
<p>England’s hopes of saving the Test match were derailed when Alastair Cook was snared by Vernon Philander in the second over. Captain Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott went about the rebuilding job yet Dale Steyn’s return into the attack rewarded South Africa
as Jonathan Trott managed to nick a delivery to AB De Villiers, leaving the hosts at 32 for 2. England never really recovered from that stage as Morne Morkel unleashed a barrage of short deliveries to fluster Kevin Pietersen. Pietersen was dropped by Jacques
Kallis at slip in the 16<sup>th</sup> over but Morkel responded by eventually bowling Pietersen out for 16 off a superb away swinger.</p>
<p>Imran Tahir was the last of the South African bowlers to strike before the close of play, after inducing an ambitious sweep that led to a top edge from Andrew Strauss. England currently trail by 150 runs on the final day and have six wickets in hand.</p>
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