It is the “home of cricket” ... and where, in his illustrious heyday, Hashim Amla contributed to some sterling Test achievements by the Proteas.

The majestic right-hander scored an unbeaten second-innings century, for example, after South Africa followed on against England yet pluckily saved the first Test of 2008, and notched another second-knock ton in 2012 - when Graeme Smith’s charges won the clash to earn a 2-0 series win and march to the ICC mace as top-placed side in the world.

But on Monday, the now 37-year-old veteran, retired from international cricket, wound back the clock at the hallowed Lord’s in Surrey kit for their London derby against hosts Middlesex in the Vitality Blast T20 competition.

Amla struck a smouldering 67 off 49 deliveries, and his opening stand of 101 in just 10.3 overs with Will Jacks (55) went a long way to explaining their fourth consecutive victory - by 30 runs - and top spot, at least for the moment, in the South Group.

Surrey registered a formidable 218 for five in the unseasonally warm conditions, to which Middlesex could only muster 188 for five in reply.

That was despite the best efforts of in-form, Johannesburg-born Stevie Eskinazi, who scored 77 to remain atop the overall chart for leading run-scorers in the tournament.

The lethal alliance of Amla and Jacks was described in the match report by www.espncricinfo.com as “velvet glove” (Amla) and “iron fist” (Jacks).

The evergreen Amla is now the top scorer for his county in the competition with 182 runs from five innings at an average of 36.40 and strike rate of 126.

His knock more than made up for a rare, first-ball duck in his previous outing against Essex at Chelmsford.

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