Sibley: Batting with Amla was incredible

Cricket365
September 28, 2013

Surrey teen batting sensation Dominic Sibley, who scored a double century for his county this week at age 18 and 21 days, said the best part about his knock was batting with South Africa star Hashim Amla.

Sibley made 242 before being dismissed on Friday, and thus became the second youngest England player to score a first class double ton, with the youngest being WG Grace. He also became the youngest to score a double ton in the County Championship.

Much of Sibley's knock was played alongside Amla, the world's best Test and ODI batsman, according to the rankings. Amla made 151 as the pair put on 236 together against Yorkshire in their final game of the season.

Sibley told the official ECB website: "It's something I'll never forget, not just for the innings I played but to spend that much time with him (Amla) at the wicket was incredible.

"Just watching him from the other end, I had the best seat in the house. His knock of 151, to watch that live, it was one of the best knocks I've ever seen. I said I wanted to bat with him and to put 200 on with him was a dream come true really.

"In about a month's time I'll probably be watching him on my TV, scoring hundreds against Pakistan in Dubai!"

Next season will see the return of Surrey's other South Africa star, captain Graeme Smith. This means the Proteas skipper will open the batting, and Sibley is likely to move back to the second team, but he's not concerned about that.

The teen added: "Obviously, Graeme Smith comes back and he'll probably open the batting with Rory (Burns) so I'll have to go into the second team, score some runs and prove myself again, which is brilliant.

"It challenges you and makes you score runs, which is what the game is all about."

The Whitgift School pupil returns to school on Monday, and hopes things aren't too crazy for him in the wake of his efforts, saying: "To be honest, I would rather it be normal, but whether that happens or not I don't know.

"I'm still getting messages through and I wouldn't say it's sunk in just yet. It's all a bit of a shock really.

"Kids of my age don't really get that sort of media coverage very often and when it happened on Thursday I suppose it was all a bit of a surprise. It's very touching people sending me their congratulations. It means a lot to me and I appreciate it."