Amla back in the groove but Proteas still have work to do
Monday 4 January 2016 20:56, UK
South Africa enjoyed a much-needed day of success in Cape Town as skipper Hashim Amla led from the front, says Nasser Hussain.
The Proteas were thumped by 241 runs in their first Test against England before seeing the tourists wallop 629 runs against them over the first two days of the second game in Cape Town, primarily due to the swashbuckling strokes of Ben Stokes (258 from 198 deliveries).
But the hosts dug in on day three at Newlands, grinding out 212 runs from 87 overs and losing just AB de Villiers (88) as Amla, under the microscope with South Africa tonked 3-0 in India late last year under his captaincy, unbeaten on 157.
"There will be a massive sigh of relief from everyone in South African cricket, not just because of this series where they have had seven bad days but also because they were blown away in India," Hussain said.
"The batsmen were failing, and the captain was under huge pressure, so they needed a day like this - and Amla steadied the ship.
"I'd be slightly critical of Alastair Cook for not having everyone around the wicket - four slips and a gully - after England scored 600 and then Amla came out to bat on Sunday, but you know when he gets in that he will be there at the end of play.
"He is moving a lot better and looking a lot more composed at the crease."
"Amla's brain would have been completely scrambled [after England's onslaught] but he has worked hard on his technique - Ian Ward who is out in South Africa for us will tell you that. He is moving a lot better and looking a lot more composed at the crease."
South Africa reached stumps on 353-3, a deficit of 276 runs, with Amla and De Villiers adding 183 for the third wicket before the captain and Faf du Plessis (51no) added an unbeaten 85 for the fourth.
Hussain says The Proteas' primary focus now will be to leave Newlands with a draw and head to Johannesburg for the third Test (January 14-18) with only a narrow disadvantage - and possibly two key seamers back from injury.
"What's great about Test cricket is that you can have a bad session and undo all the hard work you have done," added Hussain. "If South Africa get bowled out quickly they are under pressure again.
"They will now say: 'We went around the park here and have been losing Test match after Test match, so let's get to the Highveld 1-0 down and maybe have [Dale] Steyn and [Vernon] Philander back along with our batsmen back in nick'."
Watch day four of the second Test between South Africa and England from 8am, Tuesday, Sky Sports 2.
