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Cape Town - Hashim Amla is likely to step down as South Africa's ODI vice-captain after declining a request to lead the side in the recent ODI series against New Zealand.
According to Cricinfo's Firdose Moonda, when regular captain AB de Villiers was suspended for two matches for a slow over rate, Amla was asked to take over as is commonplace with the deputy. But Amla requested to be left to "concentrate on his batting" according to convener of selectors Andrew Hudson, and Faf du Plessis led the side instead.
Amla has now revealed he may give up the role altogether.
"It's something I am considering - stepping down," Amla said. "There is no point in me being vice-captain if I'm not going to captain when the captain isn't around. We will make that decision soon."
Hudson agreed that having a vice-captain who is not willing to step up is a concern to the administrators and that Amla's position will be considered when the national contracts are decided on next month.
"We did ask Hashim to captain in the one-day series against New Zealand and he declined," Hudson confirmed.
"He may end up relinquishing the role. Having a vice-captain who is not available when he needs to captain defeats the objective. Hashim is happy to play a supporting role but perhaps not in an official capacity. We will consider this when the contracts come up for renewal. We have no doubt he will continue to contribute, but maybe not as vice-captain."
Amla was appointed to the position in July 2011 when the new management structure under Gary Kirsten took over. Although it was known at the time that Amla was a reluctant leader, he accepted the vice-captaincy of both the ODI and T20 squad. He had only played two T20s for South Africa at that point.
South Africa are currently preparing for their three-Test, two T20 and five-ODI series' against Pakistan, starting on Friday with the first Test at the Wanderers.
According to Cricinfo's Firdose Moonda, when regular captain AB de Villiers was suspended for two matches for a slow over rate, Amla was asked to take over as is commonplace with the deputy. But Amla requested to be left to "concentrate on his batting" according to convener of selectors Andrew Hudson, and Faf du Plessis led the side instead.
Amla has now revealed he may give up the role altogether.
"It's something I am considering - stepping down," Amla said. "There is no point in me being vice-captain if I'm not going to captain when the captain isn't around. We will make that decision soon."
Hudson agreed that having a vice-captain who is not willing to step up is a concern to the administrators and that Amla's position will be considered when the national contracts are decided on next month.
"We did ask Hashim to captain in the one-day series against New Zealand and he declined," Hudson confirmed.
"He may end up relinquishing the role. Having a vice-captain who is not available when he needs to captain defeats the objective. Hashim is happy to play a supporting role but perhaps not in an official capacity. We will consider this when the contracts come up for renewal. We have no doubt he will continue to contribute, but maybe not as vice-captain."
Amla was appointed to the position in July 2011 when the new management structure under Gary Kirsten took over. Although it was known at the time that Amla was a reluctant leader, he accepted the vice-captaincy of both the ODI and T20 squad. He had only played two T20s for South Africa at that point.
South Africa are currently preparing for their three-Test, two T20 and five-ODI series' against Pakistan, starting on Friday with the first Test at the Wanderers.
