'Here is a guy who doesn't want to fight the world...'
Sunday 10 January 2016 06:42, UK
Hashim Amla's decision to step down as South Africa captain will have been made in the best interest of the team and himself, says Nasser Hussain.
Amla announced he would quit with immediate effect after the second Test against England - a match in which he scored 201 - ended in a draw. He will be replaced by AB de Villiers for the remaining two games in the series.
Under Amla's leadership, South Africa have won four, drawn six and lost four of their Tests - their last success coming against the West Indies in January 2015.
Hussain, who stood down as England captain during the 2003 series against South Africa, said Amla will not have taken the decision lightly.
"He said he's had a deep look within himself to see if he wanted to do it anymore," said Hussain. He's copped a lot of flak, a lot of stick from the commentators and papers.
"It's a decision that's in your hands; it's an honourable thing and it's your own decision but if you're captain of your country your predominant thought process has to be the team.
"You have to think 'is this decision making it a better team?' especially mid-series.
"When I went after the first Test at Edgbaston, England were a better team - they had a young, vibrant captain in Michael Vaughan to take that team on.
"The only point in this is, is it making South Africa a better team for Amla to give up the captaincy?
"It leaves a bit of a bitter taste in your mouth because you'd want him to carry through but he obviously feels it's better for the team if someone like AB de Villiers takes over.
"He feels as though he has given the team as much as he can and he can't improve as a captain.
"It's odd to do it now as opposed to after Durban but he probably felt that he couldn't as it was back-to-back Test matches - the two-day turnaround wasn't fair for the team."
Explaining his decision Amla, whose average as captain of 49.66 was a fraction less than his career average of 51.13, said: "This decision was not an easy one to make but I felt I needed to be true to myself. I am comfortable with my decision, knowing that I have given my best at all times and will continue to do so."
Analysing Amla's comments, Hussain said: "Every human being has their tipping point.
"Amla has obviously felt that enough is enough - that he can't take any more because it's affecting him as a person.
"Here is a guy who doesn't want to fight the world; he doesn't want to take people on. He just wants to be happy in his lot, batting for South Africa.
"I don't think he wants to become a bitter and twisted cricketer or human being and hence he's saying 'before I go down that road, someone else please do this and I'll concentrate on my batting'."
Our coverage of the third Test between South Africa and England begins at 8am on Thursday 14 January.
