CAPE TOWN, (Reuters) – South African test cricket will usher in a new era under captain Hashim Amla today when the country’s first permanent non-white skipper leads the side out against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Top order batsman Amla replaces the colossus Graeme Smith, who led the side for a decade and elevated them to the number one test ranking in world cricket, a status they only recently lost to Australia.
Both men share similar traits regarding their will to win but in terms of personality, it would be hard to find two people from more opposite ends of the spectrum.
Smith was bullish, controversial and his bristling self-confidence often mistaken for arrogance. He was a born leader.
Amla, a devout Muslim, has a quiet demeanour, comes across as a little too humble at times and has shied away from leadership positions in limited-overs formats in recent years.
That has led to him being known in the South African dressing room as the ‘Silent Warrior’.
The 31-year-old was initially not in the running to replace Smith with the job looking secure for vice-captain AB de Villiers, who was groomed for the role by former coach Gary Kirsten after being handed the captaincy for the one-day side.
However, doubts over De Villiers’ ability to keep wicket, lead the side and be a batting mainstay led selectors to opt for Amla instead.
The latter’s role will be to nurture a side that has lost some major talent and big personalities in the recent past.
Apart from Smith, all-rounder Jacques Kallis and wicketkeeper-batsman Mark Boucher have also retired – in many ways the spine of the test side for the past 15 years.
Where Amla and Smith are similar is that both lead by example on the field, the weight of their runs and ability to turn in match-winning performances earning them respect the world over.
