Amla to miss Proteas ODIs after father becomes critically ill
It’s family first for veteran batsman whose father is critically ill
CRICKET South Africa has said it understood that “family obligations always come first” after Hashim Amla asked for compassionate leave to miss the final two one-day internationals against Sri Lanka.
Amla’s father Mahomed is “critically ill”, which has seen Hashim miss the last few Cape Cobras matches in the One-Day Cup.
Now that he has been recalled for the two remaining ODIs at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth today and Newlands on Saturday, Amla has asked to be excused.
He has been replaced in the squad by Reeza Hendricks.
Proteas team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said yesterday: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Hashim and his family during this difficult time, and we understand that family obligations always come first.
“The selectors have decided to add Reeza Hendricks to the squad.
“It was always the intention of the selectors to rotate Hashim and Reeza during this Sri Lanka ODI series.”
While these final two internationals were seen as an opportunity for Amla to state his case for the World Cup squad, he is held in high regard by Proteas captain Faf du Plessis and selection convenor Linda Zondi for his impeccable record in limited-overs cricket.
In 174 matches, he has scored 7 910 runs at an average of 49.74, with 27 hundreds and 37 half-centuries – which should be good enough to secure a berth in the 15-man Proteas World Cup squad.
The pitches in England and Wales are also tough to bat on for players who have not been there before, so Amla’s long-established opening partnership with Quinton de Kock should remain intact for the opening game against England on May 30 at The Oval in London.
HASHIM Amla’s decision to go back to Durban has cast a shadow of perspective on the Proteas camp, even as World Cup fever reaches new temperatures.
Amla’s father is critically ill and the veteran right-hander has spent the past fortnight at his side. The circumstances go beyond the game, and it is not unreasonable to speculate that Amla may not play cricket for the rest of the summer.
Quite where that places his World Cup chances, no one quite knows. What is in no doubt, however, is that family comes first.
The urgency with which Amla left the camp also illuminates just how challenging it might have been for him to fully concentrate on cricket for much of this season.
By all accounts, it is a very sensitive time.
The team is saddened by the departure of the rock upon which one-day batting foundations for the past decade and more have been built.
Reeza Hendricks returns to the squad, with management explaining that they had always planned on rotating Amla and the Highveld Lions opener.
Even if it was part of a plan, no one would have seen this coming.
This latest development also means that the final decision for the remaining batting slot in the World Cup squad will be reached using other criteria.
The selectors might have fancied a simple shootout over the next two ODI matches, but their sentiments will guide them now.
Skipper Faf du Plessis did explain what Amla brought to the table, with his experience, extensive runscoring and wealth of knowledge a great source of comfort to those around him.
It was not an easy decision to make as it was, and it has now got a lot more complicated.
Or maybe, it actually isn’t that complicated at all. They already knew that Dale Steyn was in, hence his extended inactivity.
They also knew that JP Duminy was in, as long as he proved his fitness by getting back on the park timeously.
It may also be true that the selection panel just wanted to see Amla find his rhythm after a tough few months.
These questions will answer themselves soon enough. For now though, the team will wrap up a series that they have thoroughly dominated, and Amla will go back to the most important people in his life.
It is a healthy dose of perspective as World Cup discussions dominate more and more conversations.
It is still just a game, and there are still immeasurably bigger priorities to concern ourselves with.
The fourth one-day international between South Africa and Sri Lanka starts in Port Elizabeth at 1pm today. Coverage is on SABC 3 and SuperSport 2.