Hashim Amla: I am not Don Bradman or AB de Villiers to score runs every time
Following his match-winning 128-ball 159 against Ireland at Canberra today, South African opening batsman Hashim Amla said that he can’t be expected to score runs every time, as he is neither Don Bradman nor AB de Villiers.
South Africa, powered by centuries from Amla and Faf du Plessis, piled up 411 runs on the board against the Irish and then went on to win the match by 201 runs, courtesy of an opening burst from pacers Kyle Abbott and Dale Steyn who reduced the opposition to 48-5 in 10.2 overs: a blow from which they never recovered.
‘Chris Gayle will score 300 soon’
Speaking after receiving the Man-of-the-Match award, Amla said: “Not possible to score in all games -- I am not Don Bradman or AB de Villiers. There is no set formula when a team looks to score faster; today, Faf and I got it right.”
Amla had plenty of time to carry on and score a double hundred, but perished trying to clear long-off in the 41st over. Admitting that scoring runs has become easier than it was before, he said: “Chris Gayle will probably get 300 in a ODI pretty soon.”
Not possible to score in all games -- I am not Don Bradman or AB de Villiers: Hashim Amla #CWC15 #IRLvSA
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 3, 2015
Chris Gayle will probably get 300 in a ODI pretty soon: Hashim Amla #CWC15 #IRLvSA
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 3, 2015
‘Information doesn’t help when you can’t execute’
On wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock’s poor form in the World Cup, Amla said: “Quinton de Kock is talented and hard-working. Everyone goes through a patch. He will appreciate runs a bit more when he gets it.”
Ireland captain William Porterfield, in the build up to the match, had said that they have plans to counter every South African batsman. Apparently, it didn’t work. When asked about it, Amla said: “No matter how much information you get, you still have to try and do the job.”