Smith hit his second double-ton of the series Photos from day two

Smith was upset when Anderson fielded a drive during the morning session from Gary Kirsten and then narrowly missed hitting him.

Words were also exchanged between Smith and several other England players and the 22-year-old responded by hitting a superb 214 not out to put his side in total control on day two of the second Test.

When bad light brought play to a premature close South Africa were on 412-2 - an overall lead of 239.

"I can't remember what was said but it was a bit heated at the time. I didn't think it was right what Anderson did," Smith said.

"He said he was throwing at the stumps but at the time I didn't think he was near the stumps so him and I had a few words.

"A few of the English guys got on my back. It's heat-of-the-moment stuff. I was protecting Gary. I thought it was wrong and I stuck up for him.

At times it can work as an advantage when you say a few things to a batter but it made me more and more hungry Graeme Smith

"Did it make me more determined to make him pay for it? Definitely. I think each time something is said you really want to dig in and make him pay for what he said especially if it is a bowler."

Kirsten, who himself scored 108, tried to play down the incident.

"For a moment in time Graeme got angry because the ball was thrown back at me a bit higher than stump height," Kirsten said.

"But it was my fault because I knew he was going to throw it back and normally we just run out of the way but my stud got stuck in the grass. I couldn't move, he threw it and I wasn't going anywhere."

Smith has now amassed 576 runs in three innings during the present series after his 277 and 85 in the first Test at Edgbaston.

"I am a bit tired but really chuffed. I'd take the tiredness any day for having achieved this. I'm really happy at the moment and really happy with the team's position as well," he said.

"It would be disappointing if we don't win from this situation. If the weather holds and the forecast is good, hopefully we can get a very big score tomorrow and bowl England out.

It is a tough learning experience for everyone but we have to respond England coach Duncan Fletcher

"I think there is still enough in the wicket and hopefully it dries out in the sun tomorrow and there will be a little bit of turn also. We need to carry on where we left off today and set the same tone tomorrow.

"I definitely would like to break the South African record for runs scored and then push on from there. We'd ideally only like to bat once in this game."

England coach Duncan Fletcher has urged his attack to make life more difficult for Smith who has fed on a diet of loose deliveries in the first two Tests.

"We have had chats with the bowlers from the first day of the first Test about where we want to bowl at Smith and they have got to make sure they bowl in those areas on a consistent basis," Fletcher said.

"You could see from half-way through the second period that the bowlers realised where it was they should be bowling and worked on a plan but by then he had got himself set.