Hashim Amla believes that Kagiso Rabada and Quinton de Kock’s youthful exuberance adds balance to an experienced Proteas squad.
The former Test captain expressed his excitement about the well-balanced nature of the side, saying there is a nice mix of youth and experience in a now settled Proteas squad.
‘We have a very good balance in the team,’ he explained.
‘There are a few of us who have been around for a few years.
‘A few exciting youngsters like Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell, who has been around but still has age on his side. We have a very good mix, hopefully, we can all put it together in this series and the Champions Trophy.’
The Proteas opening batsman continued by saying that the warm-up matches have allowed the side to adapt to the English conditions.
‘The warm-up matches went really well,’ he said. ‘When you come to a new place you want to try and get as much information from the conditions as possible.’
He explained further that both batsmen and bowlers got what they needed from the two warm-up matches.
‘The two warm-up matches provided that; a lot of the batsmen got runs and the bowlers got a good workout. In the last game guys were tested at different times which was a good experience.’
The former Test skipper boasts a fantastic average of 69.83 on English soil. There is little to suggest that this figure will do anything but increase as 420 runs in the IPL followed by 59 in a warm-up match against Northamptonshire, leaves him brimming with confidence.
Amla hopes that the challenge posed by England in the ODI series will stand the Proteas in good stead heading into the Champions Trophy.
‘This ODI series comes at a good time, it’s before the Champions Trophy and it will be great preparation for both teams,’ Amla said.
‘England are a good team, very well-balanced, so it will be a good challenge to hone down our skills so we can start the tournament on a good note.’
The Proteas have enjoyed a great run of late having won 14 of their last 16 ODI matches highlighted by series whitewashes at home to both Australia and Sri Lanka.
The Proteas play the first of three ODIs against England at Headingley on Wednesday.
