Hashim Amla confident of doing well at the World Cup
Amla's form has been a matter of some concern for South Africa ahead of the World Cup. Since the start of 2018, he has scored 529 runs from 16 innings at 35.26 – sub-par when compared to his overall career average of 49.74.
But the 36-year-old is sure he can find his best, once the World Cup gets underway with South Africa taking on hosts England in the tournament opener on 30 May. Some of that belief stems from the fact that he has typically done well in England, as underscored by his ODI average of 56.73 on these shores.
If Faf du Plessis could pick any past great in his #CWC19 squad, he'd go for Brian Lara.
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) May 24, 2019
Who would you choose? pic.twitter.com/hhDnitu4xA
"I am hungrier than ever before, there is no doubt about that," said Amla. "I have been blessed to have this shirt for a while but the time off has made me want to come back stronger. This is my third [World Cup] so I know what it is all about."
"I have a strong record in England and I have always enjoyed coming here. We have played England recently and had some success against them, I have done well against them too."
South Africa, although placed No.3 on the MRF Tyres ICC Men's ODI Team rankings, haven't been widely talked up of as one of the favourites to lift the title this time around. Amla feels the reduced expectations will benefit the team.
Ten incredible captains, but just one glittering trophy.
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) May 23, 2019
Take a peek behind the scenes at our #CWC19 media event! 👀 pic.twitter.com/tb9H8DajEr
"This year, you don't see the same big names and that is why the focus is not on us but that has some good in it," he said.
"There has not been much chat about us winning in comparison to the past but I don't think that played a part in how we performed. At the end of the day, we always gave our best and played to win. The fact there has not been a lot of chat at this World Cup means there is less expectation but in the team we think we can do well."
"We haven’t always got that right in the past, to play our best cricket at the World Cup, because we put so much pressure on ourselves" – @faf1307 https://t.co/AykFtweBjQ
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) May 19, 2019
"This year, I am very happy not to be earmarked by anyone. We know how good we are so we just want to come and enjoy it. We have some players who will be playing in their last World Cup and then some who are experiencing it for the first time, so we just want to have some fun.
South Africa will look to tune things up in their warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and West Indies on 24 May and 26 May respectively, before their campaign gets underway in the tournament opener against England at The Oval.