Amla feels ‘big runs’ round the corner
South Africa’s fortunes in the Test series will hinge on skipper Hashim Amla’s form.
The balance he provides at the all-important No 4 spot is crucial, and Amla, after an indifferent ODI series, will be itching to get some runs under his belt. If history is something to go by, the last time Amla took the field in the two-match series in 2010, he scored 490 runs. A double ton in Nagpur was followed by centuries in each innings of the Kolkata Test.
Amla knows how to put a price on his wicket. After the warmup match against the Board President’s XI, he was quick to hit the nets. On the eve of the series opener, Amla said he had to keep the intensity up and hope runs were round the corner. KEEP UP INTENSITY “I would have loved to get more runs in ODIs but the other guys cashed in. When you don’t get runs, you feel big runs are round the corner. You can keep the intensity up in training, keep the same type of workload, and when the time comes, you get the big one,” said Amla, who got just 89 in the five one-dayers.
South Africa have been unbeaten in Tests since 2006 and Amla said wanting to win in India and pulling it off were different things.
Australia looked to conquer, what they called the final frontier, but ended up being humbled in 2001. Amla said the experience of 2010, where his scores read 253, 114, and 123 no, would be handy.
“Like any format, you try and apply yourself. Coming into the Test series, it’s going to be hard fought and will be good to get some runs on the board. Technique and mental aspect aside, a few other things also need to fall in place. I will try and adapt. We have been through many memorable Test series, but we want to win in India. Playing in India is the toughest challenge and we hope to come out on top,” he said. INJURED DUMINY OUT JP Duminy, who was nursing an injury on the hand and had been out of action for the past few days, has been ruled out of the first Test. “It’s unlikely JP is going to play. We haven’t finalised the team yet. The selectors have come down from South Africa, so we will sit and talk about the team,” said Amla.
The other worry for the visitors will be the fitness of pacer Morne Morkel. Although he had a long net session and looked comfortable while bowling, Amla said, “Thursday will be the final assessment on Morne, whether he will be 100 % fit or not.”