Cape Town - Hashim Amla is set to stand down as Test captain of South Africa with immediate effect on Wednesday afternoon.
Amla, fresh from helping the Proteas secure a credible draw against England in the second Test at Newlands with a superb double ton, will hand over the captaincy for the remaining two Tests at the Wanderers and Centurion.
The 32-year-old has been under severe pressure recently after losing last year’s away series 3-0 to India and the first Test to England in Durban by 241 runs last month.
Highs and lows of Captain Hash
Although there has been speculation that the leadership responsibilities have affected Amla’s batting after a lean run in Test cricket over the past 12 months prior to the Newlands match, the 201 scored against England – after the Proteas endured one of the toughest days in the field – pours cold water on that theory.
Instead, Independent Media understands that Amla believes his personal leadership style is not suited to this current young and inexperienced Proteas Test side.
South Africans have always been familiar with demonstrative captains, and with the transition phase this Proteas test side is currently going through, Amla believes that despite it being mid-way through the series, it’s best for the team going forward that he stands down immediately.
The highlight of Amla’s captaincy tenure since taking over from Graeme Smith will be the series win achieved in Sri Lanka in 2014 – the Proteas’ first in over 20 years on the tea-loving island – while he also achieved series wins over Zimbabwe and West Indies.
@IndyCapeSport