The 36-year-old former South African great batsman Hashim Amla is the new Proteas player to sign the Kolpak deal. He has signed the Kolpak deal for the English County cricket club Surrey for the next two seasons.
Just a few weeks ago, it was the speculation that Hashim Amla was going to sign the Kolpak Deal for Surrey. On Tuesday (29th October), Surrey has confirmed this news. This deal will run till 2021 English season.
After playing the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Hashim Amla announced his international cricket retirement last August. While South Africa struggled n that tournament (seventh position), Amla scored 203 runs in seven innings with an average of 40.60. The right-handed batsman hit two half-centuries in that tournament, including the best knock of 80 not out.
Earlier, Hashim Amla played for Surrey in 2013. In that County Championship season, Amla scored 545 runs in 10 innings with an average of 54.50. He hit one century (151) and four half-centuries in that tournament.
I am very excited to be joining Surrey – Hashim Amla
Former Proteas fast bowler Morne Morkel is already in the Surrey squad as the Kolpak registration player. Now, Amla has joined this squad. Amla is excited to serve in Surrey alongside his friend Morne Morkel.
Hashim Amla said, “Surrey are one of the most established and accomplished cricket clubs in the world and I am very excited to be joining them again while also not forgetting the opportunity to play alongside my good friend Morne Morkel again.”
In his English County cricket career, Hashim Amla has already played for Essex, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Hampshire, along with Surrey.
Hashim Amla played the international cricket from November 2004 to June 2019. He played 124 Tests, 181 ODIs and 44 T20Is where he scored 9,282 runs (average 46.64), 8,113 runs (average 49.46) and 1,277 runs (average 33.60). In his international career, Amla also played for ICC World XI.
Amla is the second-most Test run-scorer and third most international run-scorer for South Africa. He is the only triple-centurion for South Africa in Test cricket history.
Alec Stewart, the director of cricket of Surrey, is feeling very happy with this big signing.
Stewart claimed, “His record speaks for itself and we know from his previous spells here that he will be an excellent resource for all of our players to learn from both on and off the field. With several of our players now in or around the international setup, the opportunity to bring Hashim back to Surrey was too good to ignore.”