Amla excited after signing Hampshire deal

The South Africa international has signed a three-month contract and will feature for the Ageas Bowl outfit during the first half of the upcoming season.

The top-order right-handed batsman, 34, is eligible to play for Hampshire in both the County Championship division one and Royal London One-Day Cup.

Amla is delighted to have joined the club and is looking to put runs on the board ahead of the Proteas’ tour of Sri Lanka in July.

He said: ‘I am really pleased to be joining a club like Hampshire.

‘Everyone I’ve spoken to, who have either played or are currently playing there, have only had good things to say about the team.

‘I look forward to spending the first three months of the season with them, which works out well for me to be able to get some high-quality cricket in before the Proteas tour to Sri Lanka.’

Amla is currently ranked the International Cricket Council’s seventh-best Test batsman in the world and 12th best in one-day internationals.

In total, he’s struck 48 centuries for South Africa in all formats.

In 2012 he became the first Proteas player to notch a triple ton for his country against England.

He completing the feat when finishing on 311 not out at the Oval.

Giles White toasted the signing and believes Amla will fit in perfectly.

Hampshire’s director of cricket said: ‘Hashim is an exciting acquisition for us.

‘We feel he’ll be an excellent fit within the group we’ve got, both on and off the pitch.

‘He’s a world-class player and this addition adds strength and depth to our batting for the first three months of the season.

‘Runs on the board are important and hopefully this will help us achieve that consistently in both the four-day and 50-over competitions.

‘We’re looking forward to welcoming Hashim and his family to the club.’