Amla returns hungrier than ever as SA records comfortable win in warm-up match

When Hashim Amla leans forward and shows off his dexterity by lashing the ball through cover or midwicket, he makes the recording of runs and averages look like the glib work of a bean counter putting a price tag on a Picasso. Cricket has always been a game of numbers, but there are acts performed by a select few out in the middle that need no quantifiable metric to be savoured.

This knock represents his highest score in a competitive game since his 108 not out against Pakistan in January’s ODI in Port Elizabeth. His last 13 trips to the crease for club and country across all formats have yielded 153 runs at an average of 11 with a high of 32 and six single-figure scores. Who knows what doubts and distractions and insecurities were tumbling around his brain as he took guard to face Suranga Lakmal’s first delivery at a muggy Sophia Gardens in the Welsh capital. And how was his brain handling the extra passengers on little nutrients as a result of his observation of Ramadan?

At the other end Faf du Plessis carried his IPL form by bludgeoning 88 off just 69 balls. He hardly seemed to climb out of third gear. He’ll be disappointed that he couldn’t register three figures. The same too with the tame relinquishing of his wicket - a leading edge to long on after skipping down the track in search of a fifth six.

It took Lungi Ngidi seven balls to take two wickets - Kusal Perera for a duck and Lahiru Thirimanne for 10 - both caught at cover by Miller. Raw pace and steep bounce make batters do things that would cause them to cringe if they saw the replays and Ngidi has both in abundance. It was only when Ngidi was introduced that the Sri Lankan captain was sent back to the hut - a middle pull straight to Markram on the leg side fence was an unfortunate way to go.

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