Amiable Amla expects some Durban delights

AS CERTAIN as death and taxes, every time Hashim Amla, plays in Durban, the question of how he feels he will fare inevitably comes up.

Yesterday, the Proteas ODI opener showed that his sense of timing is not just confined to matters over 22 yards.

“I am at the Cobras now,” he straight-batted, when the obligatory “homecoming” question came.

“Playing at Kingsmead is always nice. We have had some good success as a one-day team here. I’ve managed to get a few runs here and there. You are always going to perform, be it here at Kingsmead or at any other grounds in the country. I don’t feel any added pressure.

“Coming here 1-0 up we want to extend our lead as a team, that is our main focus.”

Amla’s unusually lean 2016 was met with confusion in some parts, because he has been a relentless run machine upfront for the Proteas.

That he has now turned a corner and found the buttery bliss of old with the willow may have been a source of relief to those who worry about these things, but Amla insisted that every player goes through ups and downs. “Anybody who has any idea of the game knows that sometimes you go through those tough times. I think back, and much better players have gone through it. It’s about staying patient,” he said.

“I haven’t changed anything. That’s how it goes, you go through phases where you go through a lean patch and thankfully I have managed to get some runs in the last two innings.

“You take nothing for granted, hopefully I can just continue scoring runs.”

Along with Amla’s return to form, the rest of the batting card has also been in potent touch. Thus, they have continued an ODI winning streak that shows no sign of abating.

“I think at the moment, every guy is batting very well. The batting line-up is very solid. Quinny is one of the best, obviously Faf has been in great good form, AB is a legend, and JP has been batting very well,” Amla enthused.

“But we don’t look too far ahead. We know the game changes very quickly. So we keep our feet on the ground, and take every game as it comes.”

Kingsmead houses some happy memories of late for South Africa, especially their last contest, when they mowed down an Australian target in excess of 370. Far from being the ground of trepidation it is on five-day cricket for them, the Durban venue has become a field of one-day dreams for the Proteas who won their last four matches at the venue.

Of course, Sri Lanka have fond memories in Durban, too. It was here that they secured a memorable Test win on their last visit to these shores, and also the scene of the infamous tie of the 2003 World Cup, which knocked South Africa out of that tournament.

Now, as they square up again, Amla said there was a lot to gain from locking horns again.

“We play Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy, so both teams benefit from these games. You get a sense of what to expect from them. Their bowling line-up has good seamers and spinners. They are a good team, and I am sure they are hungry to bounce back.”

Though the Sri Lankans will look to find more Durban delight, they will be hardpushed on a wicket that looks like it has the sort of pace the likes of Kagiso Rabada relish. South Africa will go for the jugular tonight, and quite rightly.

Ruthlessness is what wins trophies, and they need to get

South Africa:

Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (capt), JP Duminy, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir.

Niroshan Dickwella, Sandun Weerakkody, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Upul Tharanga (capt.), Dhananjaya de Silva, Asela Gunaratne, Nuwan Kulasekara, Jeffrey Vandersay, Suranga Lakmal, Lakshan Sandakan

Sri Lanka: Play at Kingsmead starts at 1.30pm, with coverage on SuperSport 2 and SABC 3 starting at 1pm.