Amla no longer a reluctant skipper as South Africa continue to experiment with multiple captains.
South Africa’s ace batsman Hashim Amla has been made the Test skipper of the side following the retirement of Graeme Smith from Test cricket.
A veteran of 75 Tests, Amla is among the best batsmen in the world, and is also no stranger to captaincy, having skippered his province Kwazulu- Natal earlier in his career.
The 31-year-old has big shoes to fill as Smith was among the leading skippers in world cricket, but the opener feels that he is ready to take on more responsibility in the side.
Amla had been a reluctant captain previously, but he now realises that his services are needed by the South African team in a broader capacity.
The batsman will serve only as the Test skipper, while AB de Villiers will continue as the ODI captain, and will be Amla’s deputy in the longer format of the game.
“It’s an honour and a privilege. I have to pay tribute to Graeme and his leadership,” Amla was quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
“For years, I’ve concentrated on my batting, but now it’s time to contribute in the team setting.As a captain, you are more a servant than you are a leader.
“I will be taking it as my responsibility to give all my heart to this position.”
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