Series defeat like this gets your feet back on the ground, says Hashim Amla

Veteran South African cricketer Hashim Amla recently showed a lot of composure and calmness in the pre-match press conference. The South African opener noted that the team will give their best shot in the final game of the ODI series against India. Albeit the match is being tipped as a dead rubber, Amla hopes to end the series on a high. Amla admitted that the Indian spinners have actually been the difference between the two sides in the series.

At the same time, it is worth noting that the Proteas camp have managed to pick them up to a great extent in the last couple of games. Hashim Amla, as per the quotes in Hindustan Times, conceded that the India series has certainly given a good reality check to the South African side ahead of the big ICC World Cup 2019. He went on to say that it is defeats like these that makes the team work even harder. Amla takes this as a big positive from the not so favored outcome of the series.

“When it comes to other series or World Cups we’ll be better prepared,” said Hashim Amla ahead of the sixth and final ODI against the Indian team.

“Also we have won so many series in the past back to back, we were very fortunate and none of us took it for granted. But to lose a series like this gets your feet back on the ground. When you’re playing well and someone has a brilliant innings, cracks can be covered. But when you lose in this manner, whatever adjustments need to be made, you focus on it more. For me that’s a very positive thing,” Amla mentioned further.

On South African bowling

Hashim Amla also noted that the bowling has been up to the mark for the South African side in the series. He pointed out that restricting India to totals close to 270-280 has been a good effort. It has been the batting that has let them down in the series. Amla had special words of praise for Kagiso Rabada, who he thinks ‘looked like taking wickets with the new ball in every game’.

On skipper Aiden Markram

Commenting on the stand-in skipper Aiden Markram, Amla rubbished the talks of captaincy affecting his batting. He noted that every captain is often seen facing such questions if he fails with the bat. Amla believes it was a great opportunity for Aiden to captain at the international level. Also, he feels the youngster is only going to get better from here on.

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