<p> Their 340-run tandem in the first Test against India at the VCA stadium on Sunday was the second time they added more than 300, following up on their 330-run alliance against New Zealand in Johannesburg in November 2007.<br /><br />“I’ve been quite fortunate and it has been a good learning experience on both occasions, watching it from the non-striker’s end,” a modest Amla told newsmen after bringing up his first double hundred, a monumental unbeaten 253.<br /><br />“Scoring a double hundred on any soil, let alone Indian soil, is a momentous occasion and I am really grateful I had the opportunity,” the 26-year-old right-hander said. “More importantly, it’s about trying to get the team in the best position. Personal milestones are fantastic, I suppose anybody who goes through a career will experience that. But at the end of the day, it’s about what the team situation is. We are in a good, strong position. A few wickets early tomorrow morning will certainly put India on the back foot.”<br />Amla expressed particular delight at being unconquered when the declaration came. <br /><br />“Having batted the whole day out was quite satisfactory,” remarked the man whose Indian connection extends to relatives residing in Ahmedabad. “I was fortuitous as a few chances went my way, but that happens especially if you are scoring a double hundred.<br />“There were a few tough parts -- the reverse swing, and facing the spinners. Mishra beat the bat many, many times but in a way, you don’t look back and sigh.”<br /><br />Where Amla got to his double ton, that milestone continued to elude Kallis, playing his 136th Test. The 34-year-old began the day on 159 but was dismissed for 173, which means 189 not out continues to remain his highest Test score. “It’s not a mental block, I certainly don’t lose any sleep over it,” said Kallis, tersely, before paying handsome compliments to Amla.<br /><br />“He has certainly come a long way from the last time he toured India,” remarked Kallis. “He is one of the main men in the batting line-up and gives it a solid look. He is a fantastic guy to bat with. He is a very calming influence on all the players. The way he has developed his game has been fantastic. People wrote him off early on but the tough character he is, he has proved everyone wrong. He is going to score a lot of runs for South Africa in very important situations.”<br /></p>
<p> Their 340-run tandem in the first Test against India at the VCA stadium on Sunday was the second time they added more than 300, following up on their 330-run alliance against New Zealand in Johannesburg in November 2007.<br /><br />“I’ve been quite fortunate and it has been a good learning experience on both occasions, watching it from the non-striker’s end,” a modest Amla told newsmen after bringing up his first double hundred, a monumental unbeaten 253.<br /><br />“Scoring a double hundred on any soil, let alone Indian soil, is a momentous occasion and I am really grateful I had the opportunity,” the 26-year-old right-hander said. “More importantly, it’s about trying to get the team in the best position. Personal milestones are fantastic, I suppose anybody who goes through a career will experience that. But at the end of the day, it’s about what the team situation is. We are in a good, strong position. A few wickets early tomorrow morning will certainly put India on the back foot.”<br />Amla expressed particular delight at being unconquered when the declaration came. <br /><br />“Having batted the whole day out was quite satisfactory,” remarked the man whose Indian connection extends to relatives residing in Ahmedabad. “I was fortuitous as a few chances went my way, but that happens especially if you are scoring a double hundred.<br />“There were a few tough parts -- the reverse swing, and facing the spinners. Mishra beat the bat many, many times but in a way, you don’t look back and sigh.”<br /><br />Where Amla got to his double ton, that milestone continued to elude Kallis, playing his 136th Test. The 34-year-old began the day on 159 but was dismissed for 173, which means 189 not out continues to remain his highest Test score. “It’s not a mental block, I certainly don’t lose any sleep over it,” said Kallis, tersely, before paying handsome compliments to Amla.<br /><br />“He has certainly come a long way from the last time he toured India,” remarked Kallis. “He is one of the main men in the batting line-up and gives it a solid look. He is a fantastic guy to bat with. He is a very calming influence on all the players. The way he has developed his game has been fantastic. People wrote him off early on but the tough character he is, he has proved everyone wrong. He is going to score a lot of runs for South Africa in very important situations.”<br /></p>
