De Villiers cherishes Amla dominance

South Africa

Batsman Hashim Amla stood at the fore of captain AB de Villiers’ appreciation, as South Africa achieved a convincing 72-run win – and unassailable two-nil series lead – over New Zealand in the second ODI at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Amla struck a superb ton in a final total of 282 for nine, after which the Black Caps fell to a very insufficient 210 all out. The in-form right-hander welcomed 15 boundaries during a key 116.

The Proteas, later, enjoyed a sterling response with the ball. Depleted by the belated absence of leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who endured a shoulder injury eight overs into an anticipated 10-over allotment, the visiting attack were solid regardless.

“When Hashim bats like that, it sets up the whole line-up to bat aggressively. Quinton de Kock also played well at the top and because of that start, Faf du Plessis and I could play freely. We will look to win the final game and take that into the Australian tour,” said de Villiers.

“These were difficult conditions to play in. We lost Imran at the end, so I had to make up for him. I have been bowling a little bit and if I can land it better, we have a few more options.”

The talented Amla was announced as the Man of the Match, after securing a 16th ODI ton – the same amount as Australian Adam Gilchrist and Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene. One more will equal the 17 gathered by countryman Jacques Kallis.

“It felt good, it was difficult early on. The little things went out the way and we managed to hang in there quite a while. The wicket was doing a bit and the guys were bowling well, so it did not allow us to go hard up front but we were able to push on in the middle,” concluded Amla.

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