Amla avails himself to Test captaincy

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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.

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