LONDON (Reuters) – Triple centurion Hashim Amla hit the highest test score by a South African as he and Jacques Kallis took their side to a commanding 637 for two declared against England at tea on day four of the first test at The Oval on Sunday. He became only the third overseas player to score a test triple century in England after Australians Donald Bradman, who twice achieved the feat, and Bobby Simpson.

It was the first test triple century in England for 22 years, since Graham Gooch hit 333 against India at Lord’s in 1990.

Amla was embraced by Kallis and applauded warmly by the capacity crowd and his team mates on the players’ balcony. Former England captain Michael Vaughan joked on Twitter that his signature beard had grown 1cm since he came into bat.