Hashim Amla announced a shock decision to resign as South African captain after leading his team to a draw in the second Test in Cape Town. He said the decision was taken over a period of time.
“I felt someone else could do a better job,” Amla said. “The decision was not made over the last couple of days. It was made at least two weeks ago.”
AB de Villiers will lead South Africa in the remaining two matches of a series which England lead 1-0.
“I had chatted to a few of the guys before this so this did not come as a massive shock to them,” said Amla.
“We have a very tight leadership team — myself, AB, Faf (du Plessis), quite a few of the senior guys. AB is very able and a brilliant captain himself.”
On what had been expected to be a low-key final day after high scoring in the first innings, Amla’s captaincy ended on a high.
After scoring 201 in a South African fightback following a battering by a Ben Stokes-inspired England in the first innings of the match, Amla had one of his better days in the field as England lost six second innings wickets by mid-afternoon.
Amla had explained in a statement: “After careful consideration and considerable thought, I wish to announce I will be stepping down as captain of the Proteas Test team with immediate effect.
“This decision was not an easy one to make but I felt I needed to be true to myself, having done a personal introspection.
“I feel comfortable with my decision, knowing that I have given my best at all times and will continue to do so. However, I feel there is a greater need to work on my own game, thus giving me the opportunity to continue contributing as a batsman.”
Amla captained South Africa in 14 Tests, winning four, losing four and drawing six.
A concerned England captain Alastair Cook has expressed his disappointment over the resignation of rival South African skipper Hashim Amla.
Cook, who considers captaincy as a huge honour, described Amla as a ‘nice’ personality and said that the outgoing skipper would have his reasons to resign from the post.
