Amla likely to succeed Smith as SA's Test captain

JOHANNESBURG: Top ranked batsmen Hashim Amla is likely to be appointed to as South Africa’s next Test captain, ARY News has learnt.

Hashim Amla is considered as the frontrunner for the role, ahead of ODI skipper AB DeVilliers. The final decision will be made in Cricket South Africa (CSA) board meeting scheduled to be held in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

In addition to announcing the new Test captain, South Africa will also name their ODI and Test squads for next month’s tour of Sri Lanka.

Initially Amla was reluctant for the responsibility but later made himself available for the test captaincy.

Amla’s surprise interest in the job was made public after CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat urged the national selectors not to have an automatic choice for Graeme Smith’s successor and to consider all options. By then, de Villiers had already declared himself ready for the role and was widely thought to be competing with Faf du Plessis, who is now effectively out of contention.