Share

Amla: I know I need to score runs

Durban - He is not the only one, but Proteas captain Hashim Amla is nowhere near his best at the moment. 

Scores of 7 and 12 in South Africa's first Test defeat to England capped off a horrible 2015 for Amla, whose Test average (50.05) is now in serious danger of dipping into the 40s. 

Amla has 12 Test innings to his name this year, and he has not scored a century since December 2014 - 208 against the West Indies in Pretoria. 

He averages just 22.81 in 2015, and speaking after his side's 241-run loss in Durban on Wednesday he was fully aware that he needs to be better. 

"I’ve been disappointed not to get the runs that I would have loved to," he said.

"I think it started off really well last year getting some runs and not being able to maintain it has obviously been disappointing.

"Certainly as captain you want to lead from the front and I think not getting the runs has been the most disappointing for me. Hopefully I can turn it around in the next couple of Test matches and start leading from the front and getting the runs on the board so the boys can follow on."

Amla believes that the mental aspect plays a major role in trying to find form. 

"I think it’s more confidence. It’s getting the runs … and the thing about it is you only get the confidence once you get the runs," he said.

"You can be doing everything properly in the nets and putting the work in behind the scenes but it has got to materialise to some sort of runs on the board, especially in the big games.

"Hopefully the new year can bring about a change of fortune for the batsmen."

The Proteas take on England in the second Test at Newlands, starting on January 2. 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
66% - 633 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
34% - 331 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE