Amla to join Surrey

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Surrey have signed South African batsman Hashim Amla for the remainder of the 2013 County Championship.

Surrey have signed South African opener Hashim Amla for the remainder of the 2013 County Championship.

Amla, ostensibly replacing fellow Proteas batsman JP Duminy, will debut against Durham later this month – and is available for all six remaining games.

"Duminy is unavailable to play for Surrey due to his commitments with the Hyderabad Sunrisers in the upcoming Champions League T20 in September, and would not have been able to fulfill the two-month period initially agreed upon," read a statement on the county's website.

The right-handed Amla, who scored a career-best 311 not out during last year's innings and 12-run triumph over England in the series opener at the home of Surrey, welcomed the opportunity to work alongside former national captain Alec Stewart.

"It is a great pleasure and honour to have been asked by Alec to play for Surrey County Cricket Club. The Oval holds a lot of fond memories for me personally. I look forward to returning there this year and hopefully enjoying similar success," enthused Amla.

Surrey, on the back of two defeats and eight draws, are currently languishing in eighth position in the nine-team Division One. Amla will join former Australian captain Ricky Ponting at the club.

"I'm very pleased to have secured the services of Hashim, unquestionably a world-class batsman, for the last six games. I would like to thank Hashim and Cricket South Africa for the excellent communication and professional manner which has enabled us to complete this deal," concluded Surrey Director of Cricket Stewart.

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