By IANS,
Durban : All eyes will be on Hashim Amla who will be making his 50th Test appearance in the Boxing Day Test match against India at the Kingsmead Stadium here Sunday.
Amla, who is of Indian origin, will be achieving the milestone on a day when a special photo exhibition will be on display at the Kingsmead to mark 150 years of the arrival of Indians in South Africa.
For Amla, playing his 50th Test on his home ground will certainly put some pressure on him, but his captain Graeme Smith hoped that Amla will take it in his stride. Amla has been in fine form and hit 140 in the first Test.
“Ofcourse, it’s a big Test for Hashim, but he’ll take it in his stride. His biggest strength is that he’s very composed, disciplined and calm, so I expect him to approach the match in the same way as he always does. He’s had a great year and we all hope that he can finish it in a great way.
“It’s nice to see how he’s grown as a player and he’s now one of the better players in the world, which is fantastic for us.”
Jacques Kallis also showered praise on Amla saying that it was a pleasure to play with him. Kallis and Amla have shared 10 century partnerships, two of those better than 300, another three of over 200 – the last came against India in Centurion last week.
“He’s … a very calming influence on all the players,” Kallis said.
Amla has a poor record in Durban, where he has played five Tests. His highest is just 69 against West Indies in 2008. Against his country of origin, he will have the chance to improve it.