Amla hails Rabada's batting

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Hashim Amla has praised the batting efforts of Kagiso Rabada on a “spicy” wicket at The Wanderers.

The South Africa batsman, who was the rock of his side’s 194-run first-innings effort with a patient 61, was impressed by Rabada’s approach as nightwatchman on day two, as the 22-year-old fast bowler made 30 crucial runs on a surface offering extravagant seam movement.

“He did his job as a nightwatchman," Amla said. "On wickets like this, there is more chance of playing and missing, so any batsman can get out at any stage. But he kept good intensity, kept leaving as well as he could and if there was a bad ball he tried to hit that.

“We saw a few flicks towards the end which was amazing from him. And to get 30 in a situation like that, quality bowlers and a difficult wicket, slowly and slowly he is turning out to be a handy batsman for us.”

Amla stressed the importance of the batting capability of South Africa’s tailenders more generally, particularly in such a low-scoring game.

“I think these type of close matches, we see the value of the lower order,” he said. “Morne [Morkel] obviously trains in the nets, so does Lungi [Ngidi]. Vernon [Philander] is a quality batsman. Runs at the bottom order is extremely valuable, because every run counts when it’s so difficult to bat.”

South Africa earned a seven-run first-innings lead but with India making it to 49/1 at stumps, 42 ahead on a wicket Amla described as “one of the paciest that I’ve played on”, the match is in the balance.

“I think it’s very evenly poised,” Amla said. “Anything can happen tomorrow morning. Even if we have to chase 300, it’s fine because we have to do our best to get there.”