• Hamish Amla has underlined the importance of rescuing the ODI series
  • South Africa trail England 2-0 going into the third match on Tuesday
  • Former captain looking for momentum to stimulate a comeback
  • 32-year-old praised the strength in depth of the visitors’ batting line up

By

David Clough, Press Association


Published:
15:36 GMT, 8 February 2016

|
Updated:
15:40 GMT, 8 February 2016

South Africa are readying themselves for the first of ‘three finals in a row’ as they try to avoid adding one-day international series defeat to their Test disappointment against England.

Hashim Amla, who resigned the Test captaincy mid-series to concentrate on his batting under the leadership of AB de Villiers in both formats, is reluctant to contemplate the impact of losing in the ODIs too.

To avoid that fate, though, South Africa must win at Centurion on Tuesday after going 2-0 down with three to play. 

Amla does not yet want to think about the prospect of another reverse.

South Africa are readying themselves for the first of 'three finalS' as they try to avoid an ODI series defeat

South Africa are readying themselves for the first of ‘three finalS’ as they try to avoid an ODI series defeat

‘It would be a blow, there’s no doubt about it,’ he said.

‘In the Test matches, we had a lot of setbacks with injuries, and in the one-dayers, we haven’t performed yet.

‘But we’re not thinking about that. We’re out to win tomorrow, get some momentum for the next one and then hope to win in Cape Town as well.

‘Everything starts tomorrow. It’s a massive motivating factor. We’ve got three finals in a row, and tomorrow is the first one we have to knock off.’

Amla has detected reason for some optimism in South Africa’s performances in defeat at Bloemfontein last week – on Duckworth-Lewis after a storm cut short their run chase – and then Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Amla, who resigned the Test captaincy mid-series, is reluctant to contemplate the impact of losing in the ODIs 

Amla, who resigned the Test captaincy mid-series, is reluctant to contemplate the impact of losing in the ODIs 

Jos Buttler celebrates with England captain Eoin Morgan after winning the 2nd ODI at St George's Park

Jos Buttler celebrates with England captain Eoin Morgan after winning the 2nd ODI at St George’s Park

‘I think in that last game we were pretty close,’ he said.

‘We played some good cricket at times and it was a bit of an improvement from the first game, although even there we were still in with a shout.

‘I hope we can put it all together at once, consecutively in three matches.’

Amla admits South Africa would love to have the batting depth which allows England to stay on the front foot, even if they lose wickets.

‘They bat very deep, and I think that allows the English team to attack throughout the game,’ he said. 

‘It is very important for us that, with our seven batters, we score the runs – and don’t leave it for eight to 11.’ 

He admits South Africa would love to have the batting depth which allows England to stay on the front foot

He admits South Africa would love to have the batting depth which allows England to stay on the front foot


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