England openers Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss produced a record-breaking stand to thwart South Africa's ambitions in the second Test.

Resuming 163 behind on 30 without loss, the pair chose the third day at Durban to launch an aggressive counter-attack, which left South Africa demoralised by the end of a compelling day.

By the time bad light ended play 11 overs prematurely, England had progressed into an 88-run lead on a commanding 281 for one after a record-breaking opening stand of 273.

It has all but ensured England will become the only team in the world to remain unbeaten this year.

Trescothick and Strauss became the first England openers to share a double-century stand since Graham Gooch and Michael Atherton added 203 against Australia at Adelaide in 1990-91.

In the process they broke the previous opening record for Kingsmead of 191, set by South Africa's Bruce Mitchell and Pieter Van der Bijl against England in 1938-9.

It was also the first time both England openers have scored a century in the same innings since Gooch and Atherton achieved the feat at Old Trafford in 1990.

By the time Trescothick perished three overs before the premature close, their stand was England's fifth highest for the first wicket and the best since Geoff Pullar and Colin Cowdrey put on 290 against South Africa at the Oval in 1960.

For all the milestones they broke, however, it was the dominant nature of their partnership which will have contributed most to England's survival in this Test, providing they do not now suffer another collapse similar to their first innings demise to 139 all out.

England tore into South Africa's attack during the morning session to such an extent the hosts struggled to recover for the remainder of the day.

Apart from new ball pair Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini, who kept a tight line and length, the rest of the attack were mercilessly treated as England added 56 runs in only seven overs and 107 runs in the morning session.

Dale Steyn, whose spell on the opening day was largely responsible for England's slump to their lowest first innings total in four years, was hammered out of the attack after conceding 31 runs in three overs, while left-arm spinner Nicky Boje suffered similar punishment.

As South Africa became more and more frustrated, the milestones began to fall with Trescothick driving South African captain Graeme Smith through the covers for four to take England into the lead by mid-afternoon as both players closed in on memorable centuries.

Somerset left-hander Trescothick won the race to three figures, sweeping Boje for successive boundaries to bring up the milestone in emphatic manner after nearly six hours at the crease.

Strauss' progress to the same figures was not as eye-catching, but his figures certainly are after claiming his fourth century in only his ninth Test.

After finishing unbeaten on 132, Strauss needs only 58 runs more to reach 1,000 runs in only his 17th innings.

For once Strauss' shot selection was not flawless and he could have been out twice before the close.

On 89 he edged Smith's first delivery just wide of Jacques Kallis at second slip to sum up South Africa's day of frustration.

By the time he was genuinely dropped on 125 by wicketkeeper AB de Villiers off Ntini shortly before bad light halted play, tiredness was a major factor.

Trescothick fell moments later, edging a tired-looking push at Pollockto de Villiers to end an innings which included two sixes and 20 other boundaries.

Mark Butcher, condemned to sit in his pads all day waiting for his chance to bat, looked uncertain when he began his innings but lasted 14 balls before umpires Darrell Hair and Simon Taufel deemed the light was no longer good enough to continue and ended England's memorable day