Johannesburg – All talk ahead of the third and final Test in the series between South Africa and Sri Lanka starting on Thursday were dominated by a whitewash and Hash hundred.
The hype ahead of the five-day match in Johannesburg turned to the indomitable Hashim Amla making his 100th Test appearance for the Proteas.
While the praises have been coming from all corners, the Mighty Hash went quietly about his business heading into the match.
Proteas captain Faf du Plessis highlighted the significance of Amla’s achievement in an era which he believed these milestones will become a rarity.
“It is a massive milestone, I am going to make a big call and say that Hash is probably going to be the last guy that plays a 100 Test matches for South Africa because of the way the game is changing,” Du Plessis said.
“KG (Kagiso Rabada) and Quinny (Quinton de Kock) is possible looking at that as youngsters, but that is a long way into the future so for me a 100 Test matches is an amazing effort.
“I know it is a massive call but the game has evolved so much and if you look at guys like Hashim, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, and Graeme Smith there was a period of a lot of Test cricket that was played over a long period of time.”
Amla has been one of the modern greats of South African cricket boasting 25 Test tons, including 311 not out against England in 2012, and 31 half-centuries.
“True to Hash’s character it is another game for him, he doesn't want any shine or attention towards him, he just wants to rock up and play another game of cricket,” Du Plessis said.
The South African opener has been through lean patch scoring just 195 runs in the last five Tests but Du Plessis is confident Amla’s class will soon overcome his poor run of form.
“He offers a lot off the field and that is why in terms of performances it is just a temporary thing and we know Hash will be one knock away from scoring 200 again,” Du Plessis said.
“Whether he is scoring runs or not, he is the exact same person, that brings a calmness to the dressing room.
“Off the park he is a great guy to have in your team, as a leader he is an asset to me, I rely on his knowledge a lot.”
Meanwhile, Du Plessis said the team had no intention to give Sri Lanka any kind of reprieve in the final Test as they aimed to show a ruthless streak.
“To try and dominate a team we are on top of at the moment to make sure we won the series 3-0, we had an opportunity against Australia and we didn't take it,” Du Plessis said.
“Expectation is a very dangerous thing, so for me it is about being ruthless and trying to make sure we are moving into a space where we are starting to dominate.”
Du Plessis confirmed Wayne Parnell would make his return to the Test side in this match, and suggested there was a real possibility the team would opt for an all-pace attack.
Depending on the weather, the Proteas could use four seamers which would include Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander, and a possible debut for Duanne Olivier.
“It is a possibility (an all-seam attack) and we are still thinking about it, we will see what the weather looks like, there is rain forecast for the Test match,” Du Plessis said.
“We will have a look tomorrow what it looks like on the deck, it looks pretty good at the moment but I think it is 50-50 at the moment.”
Independent Media