In the process he broke the previous South African individual Test innings record of team-mate AB de Villiers, who made 278 not out against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in November 2010.
In all, Amla faced 529 balls and struck 35 fours in what was the 29-year-old’s 15th Test century, which far exceeded his previous personal highest of 253 not out against India at Nagpur in 2010.
His score was the highest by a South African against England, beating the previous record of 277 set by Smith at Lord’s in 2003, and was the first triple century scored in a Test in England since Graham Gooch made 333 against India at Lord’s in 1990.
In addition, the unbeaten third-wicket partnership of 377 between Amla and Jacques Kallis was an all-wicket record for Tests between England and South Africa. The previous record of 370 was set by Bill Edrich and Denis Compton for England at Lord’s in 1947.