Fit-again Amla ready to turn up the Heat

– One of Durban’s favourite cricketing sons Hashim Amla (right) is fit and raring to go following a long injury lay-off when the Durban Heat kick off their Mzansi Super League T20 campaign against the Cape Town Blitz at Kingsmead tomorrow.

Amla tore a tendon in his finger while fielding during the Caribbean Premier League on September 4 and hasn’t played since, but having been through nearly two months of rehabilitation and a couple of practice games he is ready to take his place at the top of the Heat batting order.

The SA T20 opening batsman has evolved his game and become one of the stand-out T20 batsmen in the world. He was not seen as a T20 batting prospect initially; however, through experience and a shift in mindset Amla has become a formidable T20 striker.

“When I started playing T20 cricket I thought it was a game where you tried to hit every ball for four. But it is not like that,” Amla said.

“Everyone has a unique approach to batting and so it is all about making that work within the T20 format.

“Using that

Durban

approach has helped me find my specific method that works in the format.”

The Durban Heat have assembled a strong blend of youth and experience and, with Amla, captain Albie Morkel and David Miller, there is a lot of T20 experience between them but there are a number of exciting younger players in the squad.

“We have got a really good squad. All the teams have some strong players but I think we have a really well-rounded team.

“There are a lot of Durban-based players which is healthy and will hopefully bring the people of Durban out to Kingsmead,” he mentioned.

With 183 T20 games under his belt across international and franchise competitions, Amla’s experience will be invaluable for the Heat. His ability to impart knowledge to the other players will also be a bonus for the side.

The fast-paced nature of T20 tournaments means that players have little time to breathe between games.

Cape Town Blitz beat the Tshwane Spartans by 49 runs in the opening match of the tournament last night. – ANA