Hashim Amla Quits Proteas Captaincy is not a headline that was expected in the middle of the current Test series against England, but this is the bombshell Amla dropped after the drawn New Year Test at Newlands.
Hashim Amla Quits Proteas Captaincy
Amla had been under significant pressure from all quarters due to his lack of batting form and questions were being asked of his ability to deliver world class batting performances as well as to captain a Test team. After discussing his position with some of the senior players, Amla decided that he would prefer to fill the role of a top order batsman and senior player without the pressure of being captain. Hashim Amla went on to explain that he had been honoured to lead his country and the decision to step down had been entirely his decision and he had been mulling this over since before the start of first Test against England in Durban. He said he was comfortable that he had always given of his best and he would continue to do so as a senior player.
As captain, Amla has won four Tests, lost four and drawn six. However, aside from his double century at Newlands it was his lack of batting form that was of concern and this had obviously been playing on his mind.
Cricket South Africa are in no rush to announce their long term captain, but AB de Villiers will fill in for the remaining two Test matches against England, with a long term appointment being made later in the year. Dean Elgar’s name has already been thrown into the hat as the next Proteas captain.
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CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 06: Hashim Amla of the Proteas speaks at a press conference during day 5 of the 2nd Test match between South Africa and England at PPC Newlands on January 06, 2016 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)
