Amla on bouncer alert

Hashim Amla resists the short-pitched barrage from England at Lord's yesterday

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Hashim Amla - one of South Africa’s four centurions in the drawn Lord’s npower Test - knows he can expect another barrage of short-pitched bowling whenever he faces England this summer.

By England captain Michael Vaughan’s own admission, his team tried “every trick in the book” as Amla (104 not out), Graeme Smith (107) and most of all Neil McKenzie (138) shut them out for more than two days, while South Africa made 393 for three after following on.

The tactics against Amla were most notable as Vaughan packed his leg-side field six-three and James Anderson dug the ball in to test a batsman who has not always convinced with his ability to handle bouncers.

It was a field setting - with two men behind square and all six in catching positions - which sent murmurs of ‘Bodyline’ around the home of cricket.

Amla, to his credit, came through the examination without major alarm on his way to a 231-ball century which helped South Africa close out the stalemate by late afternoon.

But Vaughan made it clear afterwards he still thinks Amla is vulnerable, on a pitch with more pace in it - and the man himself is under no illusions.

“I think it will be the same - that’s my honest opinion,” Amla predicted.

“I think it will be the same throughout the Test series - and I hope the result is the same.

“It was the same strategy they used four years ago. I’m not a big hooker or puller, so over the years I’ve tried to develop my skills against the short ball.

“I take a few on the body.”

James Anderson appeals in vain for caught behind against Amla who went on to make 104 not out

Amla and Co certainly had the last laugh yesterday, however - and he was able to reflect on making a hundred in his first match at Lord’s.

“A hundred anyway is a lovely feeling, and definitely a hundred at Lord’s,” Amla said.

For Amla, it was especially heartening to prove himself against opponents who got the better of him when he was first making his way in Test cricket.

“My experience four years ago against England didn’t go too well - so it’s good to get some runs against them under my belt,” he added.

He is confident too that, having fought back after a poor start over the first two days, South Africa ended the opening Test with good reason for optimism.

Their much-touted pace attack cut no ice as their hosts piled up 593 for eight declared, batting first - but he is anticipating better, starting in the second Test at Headingley Carnegie this week.

“With our bowlers, I think it is a mental thing - trying to get the confidence back,” Amla explained.

“We do take a lot of momentum from this. We batted for two days and only lost three wickets - that is a fantastic feat, I think.”