South African great Hashim Amla announces retirement from cricket
Amla scored the last of his 57 first-class centuries for the Brown Caps against Northamptonshire in September
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.South African great Hashim Amla has announced his retirement from professional cricket, leaving Surrey with a sizeable gap to fill ahead for the 2023 season.
The 39-year-old, who scored more than 18,000 runs for the Proteas, called time on his international career in 2019 but has continued playing for Surrey and helped bring the LV= County Championship crown to the Kia Oval last summer.
Amla scored the last of his 57 first-class centuries for the Brown Caps against Northamptonshire in September but has decided against taking part in their title defence.
Amla, who first played for Surrey as an overseas import in 2013 and 2014 before returning full-time three years ago, said: “I have great memories of the Oval ground and to finally leave it as a player fills me with immense gratitude for what has been.
“A sincere thank you to (director of cricket) Alec Stewart and the entire Surrey staff, players and members for their support.
“The Surrey ship runs so professionally that it would make any international player feel a sense of honour just to be involved with. I wish them all the best and many more trophies.”
Former England captain Stewart, who recently took a leave of absence due to his wife’s ongoing cancer treatment, took time to pay tribute to a player renowned as a model professional throughout his career.
“Everyone at Surrey County Cricket Club will be sad to see Hashim retire, but we all applaud what has been a phenomenal career. He will quite rightly go down as a great of the game,” he said.
“Hashim is a fantastic cricketer and a wonderful person. He has been an incredible resource for the team to learn from on and off the field.
“As well as posting big scores at vital moments, he has also shown his willingness to dig in and do what is needed to get his team a result in tough games.
“I can’t thank him enough for what he has done for Surrey and hold him up as an example to all young players of what a true professional looks like.”
Amla was a particular thorn in England’s side over the years, scoring six centuries in 21 Tests including his country’s first ever triple hundred – at the Oval – in 2012.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments