Amla avails himself to Test captaincy
Batsman Hashim Amla has reportedly expressed interest in succeeding the veteran Graeme Smith as South African Test captain.
Batsman Hashim Amla has reportedly expressed interest in succeeding the veteran Graeme Smith as South African Test captain.
Smith retired from international cricket earlier this year, on the back of a series defeat to Australia, and has since signed a lucrative contract with Surrey in English county cricket.
The 31-year-old Amla, who relinquished the ODI and Twenty20 International vice-captaincy in February 2013, allegedly availed himself to the Test leadership this week.
Team manager Mohammed Moosajee recently suggested Cricket South Africa have, effectively, earmarked "four or five people that can fill the role."
ODI skipper AB de Villiers, Twenty20 International captain Faf du Plessis have been listed as possible replacements, while batsman JP Duminy is also in contention, albeit marginally.
"We are a diverse country with a diverse group of players and we have a melting pot of cultures in the dressing room. We have built our team environment around that, which has meant learning and respecting each other's backgrounds and using that to become a strong unit," said Moosajee.
"We are fortunate that we've had inspirational leaders in the past and now we hope to have another one. We have four or five people that can fill the role. Graeme was one of a kind – he was tough and he wore his heart on his sleeve."
The Proteas will tour Sri Lanka for two Tests in July, meet Zimbabwe for a one-off fixture at the Harare Sports Club in August – and contest three more with the West Indies in Centurion, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town in December through January.
Latest
-
NewsHeather Knight hopes her England team can become ‘world leaders’
Knight has recovered from a lengthy lay-off after hip surgery to lead this month’s white-ball tour of the West Indies.
-
NewsHarry Brook ‘probably happier’ with six fours in an over than maiden Test ton
The Yorkshireman struck an 80-ball ton.
-
NewsI’ve never seen a day like that – Record-breaking England delight Zak Crawley
Crawley was one of four England batters to make a century on the opening day of the first Test in Rawalpindi
-
NewsEngland rewrite the record books on opening day of first Pakistan Test
Zak Crawley claimed the fastest century by an England opener as four players celebrated tons.
-
NewsEngland pile on the runs in Pakistan on extraordinary opening day
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook all made centuries.
-
NewsZak Crawley and Ben Duckett get England off to flying start in Pakistan
Crawley scored the fastest ever Test hundred by an England opener, from 86 balls.
-
NewsZak Crawley and Ben Duckett get England off to fast start in Pakistan
Crawley went into the break unbeaten on 91 from 79 balls.
-
NewsWill Jacks given surprise debut for England’s first Test in Pakistan since 2005
The batting-all rounder was called up in the absence of wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.
-
NewsEngland’s first Test in Pakistan since 2005 to go ahead despite virus in camp
The match will get under way on Thursday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
-
NewsLiam Livingstone relishing chance to ‘live childhood dream’ against Pakistan
The batting all-rounder’s eye-catching shots in the shorter formats have earned him his Test chance.