De Villiers reveals favourite Proteas batting partner

AB de Villiers has revealed why batting alongside Hashim Amla brought a unique sense of calm to the crease during their years together with the Proteas.

De Villiers shared the middle with some of the finest batters of his generation, including Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis.

But speaking on Keepin’ It Cricket, the Proteas great revealed that Amla was one of the teammates he most enjoyed batting alongside.

“Hashim,” De Villiers said.

“Just quiet out there, didn’t say much, didn’t overthink the game. Hell of a player, and in a weird way just took a bit of pressure off me.

“The minute I walked out there with him, I just felt relaxed and calm, and that everything was under control.”

Watch: Ackerman’s long road to Proteas dream

De Villiers said Amla provided a contrast to some of the more animated batters he partnered during his career.

“I loved playing with Virat, obviously, Faf du Plessis and some of the busier players, but [they] almost got me a bit anxious sometimes because it’s really busy, a lot of talking.

“Hashim just turned the whole thing around. Everything is all right, and we just loved batting together.

“There was an understanding without saying much.”

That understanding translated into plenty of runs for South Africa.

One of their most memorable stands came against Pakistan at the Wanderers in 2013, when Amla struck 122 and De Villiers 128 as they shared a 238-run third-wicket partnership.

READ: Dale Steyn’s best innings came when it counted

For De Villiers, however, Amla’s value as a partner extended far beyond the runs they scored together.

He particularly appreciated Amla’s ability to remain absorbed in the present rather than allowing the match situation to become overwhelming.

“It was all cricket chat about the present,” De Villiers said.

“A lot of partners out there would start getting a bit edgy and look ahead and think about what’s coming.

“Hash was always just like, ‘Did you see there was a little bit of swing there?’

“So it would always force me to stay in the present with him, and that’s what I really loved about him.

“He was just a very grounded, present kind of guy.”

For a batter renowned for playing the game at a breathtaking pace, De Villiers found one of his most comfortable partnerships alongside someone whose greatest influence was often simply keeping things calm.

AFRICA PICKS: Cricket tips and predictions

Photo: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images

The post De Villiers reveals favourite Proteas batting partner appeared first on SA Cricket Mag.