Former South Africa captain Hashim Amla said that Quinton de Kock’s Test retirement has left the Proteas’ batting line-up in huge trouble. However, South Africa faced a defeat in the first Test of the ongoing three-match Test series against India.
They failed to reach 200 in both innings, which was one of the main reasons for their loss as well. After the defeat, skipper Dean Elgar opined on the importance of a good batting display for the rest of the series too.
However, De Kock announced his sudden retirement after the first Test, which left the cricketing fraternity in shock. Hashim Amla also said that Quinton de Kock was one of their two best batsmen. While Amla said that Bavuma needs to bat higher. He said:
“Our two best batters in the middle are Temba and Quinton. Now that Quinton has opted out of Test cricket, this cripples the batting line-up further and, now more than ever, it makes it imperative for Temba to bat higher – be it three or four, allow him time to play a solidifying role as opposed to a recovery one. Dean and Aiden are class players with a pedigree for hundreds and, if they get momentum, it would certainly ease the nerves and give much-needed confidence for the younger guys.”
“It was a fair result” – Hashim Amla on India winning in Centurion
However, Bavuma’s batting display was one of the positives for South Africa in the first Test. He scored 52 in the first innings and stayed unbeaten at 35 in the second innings as well. The second Test will begin on January 3 in Johannesburg. Hashim Amla further added:
“It was a fair result. Centurion is notorious for becoming more difficult to bat as the days progress. So once India won the toss, batted and scored in excess of 300, it was game on for the Protea batters to match that score at the very least. Being 130 runs behind is what really hurt them, and it ended up being the difference. There’s certainly a way back, but it’s going to take laser-like focus for extended periods and a touch a fortune.”
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