Wednesday’s appointment of Hashim Amla as the Gauteng Lions’ batting coach raises questions about his ever-presence in the game, leaving a lasting mark. While his stellar career stats guarantee no coaching success, Dale Steyn, who played alongside Amla, sees him as a valuable mentor. Amla’s wealth of knowledge, leadership skills, and approachable nature make him a great asset to any team, and the Lions are expected to benefit significantly from his expertise.
Despite Amla’s retirement, he continued playing in various formats, showcasing his prowess, including scoring 68 off 59 balls in a legends T20 match against a strong bowling attack. Now, he steps into the role of Lions’ head coach, responsible for batting strategies in all three formats, and expected to contribute across the women’s, academy, and U19 spaces.
Amla’s primary focus is expected to be on the first-class competition, where the Lions finished fourth last season. The addition of Zubayr Hamza from Western Province will be closely monitored, as Amla could play a crucial role in helping him rediscover his form. Moreover, the performance of Rassie van der Dussen, who has struggled in recent outings, will be an important challenge for Amla to address.
As Amla starts his coaching journey, his to-do list is already extensive, and he will face the challenge of managing limited contact with some players involved in national setups. Nevertheless, with his calm and adaptable nature, Amla is poised to leave a significant impact on the Lions’ batting department, fostering growth and improvement across the board.
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