There will more intensity in Twenty20 says Hashim Amla – Cricket News Update
South Africa’s top order batsman and newly found limited-overs Captain, Hashim Amla, who is set to lead the Proteas for the first time in today’s opening Twenty20 (T20) match against the Australian tourists, feels that there will be more intensity under the shortest format, compared to the One Day International (ODI) setting.
“In the T20 there is obviously going to be more intensity and one has less time to have a look (at the conditions) and in that respect I certainly want to apply myself along those lines,” Amla was quoted by South Africa’s Sports 24.
The Skipper also comprehended that there is not much difference between ODI and T20. The only thing that revolves around the latter is that it comes with shorter version of the game; however, it will be crucial for his side and himself to find the right transition under a 20-overs game.
“The similar basics that exist in 50-over cricket exist in 20-over cricket, but in a shortened version. To find that rhythm in the T20 is going to be crucial for the team and for when I bat, but I want to use this opportunity to find that rhythm,” Amla said.
Amla was handed over charge of the Proteas limited overs squads after the side’s former Captain, AB de Villiers, suffered a broken finger injury during his participation for the Royal Challengers Bangalore on the just-concluded Champions League (CL) T20 competition in India.
However, Amla, who is ranked amongst the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) top batsmen in the world, holds a minor T20 career, which took off in January, 2009, and since then the right-handed batsman has played 3 matches, with an aggregate of 53 runs – which comes meagre compared to his imposing tally of 2462 runs, averaging at 57.25, under the ODI format.
As for the player’s Captaincy skills; this will be the first time for the 28-year-old to lead the Proteas, however, Amla revealed that in the presence of an able Coach, Gary Kirsten, he has not much to worry about and has taken a lot of burden off him.
Having said the above, much will be banked on Amla when he leads the South African T20 squad in today’s opening T20 match against Australia at the Newlands venue, in Cape Town.
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