The South African number three batsman endured a barrage of short-pitched bowling to hit an unbeaten 88 and help the tourists into a 26-run lead at tea on the final day, having reached 372 for three.

Amla's determined display followed centuries from captain Graeme Smith and fellow opener Neil McKenzie after they were forced to follow on 346 runs behind and seemed to be facing certain defeat.

England, desperate to claim victory in a match they dominated for the first three days, signalled their intentions from the start when the tourists resumed 104 runs adrift on 242 for one with a sustained burst of intimidating bowling from the Pavilion End.

Having instructed Lancashire seamer James Anderson to bowl nothing but short-pitched deliveries at Amla, England captain Michael Vaughan set a Bodyline-type field with several players positioned close to the bat on the leg-side.

It was bowling on a par with anything England suffered against West Indies 25 years ago, but on a slow pitch Amla handled it superbly and left Vaughan bereft of further ideas to dismiss him.

He was well supported by McKenzie, who battled for nine-and-a-quarter hours for his determined 138 and provided the platform for South Africa's superb fightback, sharing in a 125-run stand with Amla to deny England for 51 overs.

But having waited so long for one breakthrough - McKenzie edged a delivery from Anderson behind - England claimed another 15 overs later when left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom delivered the perfect yorker to bowl all-rounder Jacques Kallis.