I Will Not Be The Last To Reach 100 Tests For South Africa: Hashim Amla
Jan 13, 2017 at 4:42 PM
South Africa top-order batsman Hashim Amla, who notched up a hundred in his 100th Test in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at Johannesburg, does not consider himself as the last Protea player to play 100 Tests for the country. He expects more SA players will join the 100 Test club.
“Whoever wants to play Test cricket and they’re good enough, they’ll get to 100 Test matches. You just have to have a desire to play Test cricket and to play for the Proteas, which is an absolute honour,” Amla was quoted as saying by Sport24.
The 33-year-old right-handed batsman Amla was presented with a shirt and a hat which he loves before the dead rubber against Sri Lanka.
On the first day of the Test, Amla became the eighth Proteas overall to join 100 Test club.
Amla returned to form with a splendid century after failing to score a fifty in his last 10 innings.
While somehow disagreeing over his captain’s statement, Amla believes Faf du Plessis has stated it because of enough shorter format games taking place at the same time.
Earlier, on the eve of the thirst Test – du Plessis stated that Amla would be the last South African cricketer to join the elite members, who have played 100 Tests for Proteas.
“Faf has made that call, I think, because of scheduling and if guys are involved in other tournaments around the world … fatigue etc. … but Test cricket for me has always been the pinnacle.
In the 100 Test Club for South Africa, Amla joined Mark Boucher, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Gary Kristen, Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini.
“So if somebody else has that type of vision there is no doubt that there will be some youngster in our team who is going to get there.”
Amla scored 134 off 265 balls before perishing to Nuwan Pradeep when he was caught by Dinesh Chandimal. He could add just two runs to his overnight score of 132.
Fast bowler Dale Steyn is expected to return to international circuit following his shoulder surgery in July. He has played 85 Tests for the Proteas so far.
Earlier on Day 1, one of the eagle eyed fans took to Twitter before founding a glaring error on Amla’s commemorating shirt which reads 2016 on his shirt instead of 2017, followed by stating ‘S’ was missing in ‘Proteas’.
Amlas 100th Test Match – spot the mistake…? 🙈😂 #Hash100 #hash #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/nxfWasTz43
— Dave Nosworthy (@DONCRICKET) January 12, 2017