Amla century wounds Tigers

South Africa take unassailable 2-0 series lead with Benoni win

Last updated: 9th November 2008

South Africa v Bangladesh 2nd ODI - Hashim Amla batting

Amla: Stunning 140 off 135 balls

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Second One Day International
Benoni
South Africa 358-4 Innings Complete (H M Amla 140, G C Smith 65, A B de Villiers 54 no) v Bangladesh 230
South Africa beat Bangladesh by 128 runs

Hashim Amla struck his maiden one-day international century as South Africa beat Bangladesh by 128 runs to clinch the one-day series at Willowmoore Park.

The Proteas opener compiled an elegant 140 off 135 balls to help South Africa pile up 358-4, their highest total in a one-day game against the Tigers.

Bangladesh managed just 230 all out in reply to slip to a heavy defeat that leaves them 2-0 down in the three-match series.

Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal bludgeoned 41 off 22 balls at the start of the run chase, but his team-mates - with the exception of Junaid Siddique (47) - struggled against South Africa's pacy bowling attack.

Imposing

Amla had shared century partnerships with captain Graeme Smith (65) and Jacques Kallis (49) as South Africa built an imposing total after being asked to bat.

It was a successful return for Smith, who was playing in his first match since the tour of England in August because of a tennis elbow injury.

The foundation for South Africa's mammoth total was set by an opening stand of 136 between Smith and Amla.

Smith looked in fine touch and showed no ill effects from his injury during a knock of 65 off 67 balls, with six fours and a six.

Both batsmen were dropped, Amla on 15 and Smith on 54, as Bangladesh's fielding cost them dear.

Amla took full advantage of a let-off by Mashrafe Mortaza at deep backward square leg off Syed Rasel.

Classic strokes

Regarded as a Test match specialist before replacing Smith in the last two one-day internationals in England, Amla produced an array of classic strokes in the early overs and showed the ability to hit out at the death. He struck eight fours and four sixes in total.

Left-hander Tamim, 19, blazed away at the start of Bangladesh's innings, hitting four boundaries in Johann Louw's first over, then dispatching Dale Steyn for two fours and a hooked six in the next over.

It was too good to last, however, and he tried one big shot too many, top-edging a hook off Steyn to square leg.

Siddique also started aggressively but became tied down before he was leg before to off-spinner Johan Botha for 47 off 80 balls. Botha and Steyn took three wickets each for South Africa.