Amla: The toughest surface I have played on

South Africa captain Hashim Amla said the surface in Nagpur was the toughest he has played on after the Proteas lost to India in the third Test, and the lost the four-match series with a game to spare.
The game only lasted until the final session on the third day with the pitch taking prodigious turn from the opening day one. Both teams batsmen struggled, with the top individual score of the match only 40 from India opener Murali Vijay.
South Africa were skittled out for 79 in their first innings while Amla made 39 in the second knock as the visitors were bowled out for 185, chasing 310.
Amla said after the game: "The surface was probably the toughest that I have had and the cricket itself was really difficult. Credit to India, they kind of bowled well. Unfortunately, we ended up on the wrong side of this game."
"One consolation would be that the conditions we played in. We haven't experienced this type of challenge before.
"I haven't played on this before in my life anywhere away from home so I suppose it's a bit of consolation because it was really challenging and you never know if we had come against this before what would have happened.
"When I first came to India in 2008 and even in 2010, I was facing Anil Kumble, Harbhajan. I think if I had to face them on wickets like this I don't think I would have got any runs either. Facing them here would have been an nightmare."
The fourth and final Test of the series starts in Delhi on 3 December.
Latest
-
News
England quick Saqib Mahmood to miss rest of season with stress fracture of back
The Lancashire fast bowler would have been a certain inclusion in the squad to face New Zealand at Lord’s on June 2.
-
News
England change to continue with new limited-overs coach and revamped Test squad
Things have been moving quickly at the England and Wales Cricket Board with Rob Key.
-
News
On this day in 2010: England beat Australia for Twenty20 World Cup final glory
The Australians had been restricted to just 147 for six from their 20 overs.
-
News
James Anderson removes Joe Root for just four but Yorkshire thwart Lancashire
Harry Brook came to Yorkshire’s rescue to secure a Roses draw.
-
News
Andrew Symonds – the Queensland larrikin known as Roy with explosive batting
The former Australia all-rounder was killed in a car crash at the age of 46.
-
News
Tributes to an ‘extraordinary player and even better human being’ Andrew Symonds
Symonds died aged 46
-
News
Former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds dies in Queensland car crash
The 46-year-old played over 200 times for Australia across all formats.
-
News
Cricket world reacts to tragic death of ex-Australia player Andrew Symonds
The ‘cult figure’ of the sport was killed in a car-crash on Saturday night.
-
News
Former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds dies in car crash aged 46
Symonds played 26 Tests and 212 limited-overs internationals for his country.
-
News
Joe Root century checks Lancashire’s victory bid in Roses clash
Jack Leach took an eight-wicket match haul as Somerset claimed victory over neighbours Gloucestershire.