Former Proteas batsman Hashim Amla has joined Surrey in English county cricket on a Kolpak contract.

Amla’s Test, ODI and T20I career ended earlier this year. Like former Proteas fast bowler Morne Morkel, he has opted to pursue a career in the United Kingdom after international retirement.

‘Surrey are one of the most established and accomplished cricket clubs in the world and I am very excited to be joining them again while also not forgetting the opportunity to play alongside my good friend Morne again,’ said Amla.

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‘I was part of the Surrey team in 2013 and 2014 and thoroughly enjoyed myself during those stints, so to rekindle that relationship for a longer period is something that excites me. I’m really looking forward to working with director of cricket Alec Stewart and the rest of his team.’

The veteran right-hander will join a slew of new recruits at Surrey, including Australian duo Michael Neser and D’Arcy Short and Pakistan spinner Shadab Khan.

Neser has joined for the County Championship Division One, while Short and Khan will compete in the T20 Blast.

‘Hashim’s record speaks for itself and we know from his previous spells here that he will be an excellent resource for all of our players to learn from both on and off the field,’ added Stewart.

‘With several of our players now in or around the international setup, the opportunity to bring Hashim back to Surrey was too good to ignore.’

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