Hashim Amla, the only South African to score a triple Test match century, on August 8, 2019, announced his retirement from international cricket, just days after fast bowler Dale Steyn said he was quitting Tests.
Amla, 36, said he was retiring from all international cricket after a 15-year career during which he hit 55 centuries in 349 matches across all formats. He followed record-breaking fast bowler Steyn who on Monday said he was retiring from Test cricket, although he remains available for international white-ball cricket.
While announcing the retirement on August 8, 2019, Hashim Amla said “I would like to thank my parents for their prayers, love, and support, it is their shadow over me that enabled me to play for years under the Protea sun.”
In a 15-year career, Hashim Amla has hit 55 centuries in 349 matches across all formats.
Hashim Amla is the only South African to score a triple century in a Test.
Hashim Amla's 27 ODI hundreds are the most by a South African, and 24 of those came in victories.
Amla went on to represent Proteas in 181 ODIs and amassed 8,113 runs in the format. He had scored 1,277 runs in 44 Twenty20 internationals.
Hashim Amla's highest score in Test was 311, in ODIs 159 and T20 internationals 97.
During a brief spell as captain, Hashim Amla led the Proteas to a rare Test series win in Sri Lanka.
Hashim Amla scored his last Test century in October 2017 and he made only two one-day international hundreds after that date.
Hashim Amla was named SA Cricketer of the Year in 2010, and again in 2013.
On the retirement of Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers said “So many doubted u early on, but your fighting spirit, humility & incredible one of a kind talent took u to the top of the mountain.”
