I did not initially comprehend the significance of my achievement. I was just glad to have got decent runs in the game to help us get to a very good position.
It was only afterwards when it really sank in.
I felt very humbled, and to be honest, even to this day I feel the same way. Records will always be broken and it is temporary so I don’t place much sentimental value to that but being the first South African player to get 300 is a special memory.
I felt a bit of nerves in the 290’s as I hadn’t obviously been in that position before (chuckles). My 299 th run took the team total to 600, so there was a bit of applause from the crowd for that which allowed the nerves to settle a bit as it took the focus off me.
I then played a bit of a loose drive straight to the point fielder before driving the next ball in the air which fortunately cleared the cover fielder and went to the boundary.
I think I was more relieved than anything else and just very happy. I had a tough series against the English early in my career around 2005, but I wouldn’t say it was extra special as I have played against them many times since then.
It was just satisfying to contribute to the team’s cause which set us up to push for the No 1 Test ranking later in the series.