Hashim Amla keen to lead South Africa back to number one

Hashim Amla

South African’s new Test captain Hashim Amla has mentioned that helping his side reclaim the top spot in the ICC Test rankings is his first priority.

"Any Test team wants to be ranked number one. We've had that privilege but having lost it is a fair reflection of how we have played. We haven't played our best cricket over the last year or so. It is a proud thing to be ranked number one. Foremost in my mind is to try and get us back there," said Amla ahead of the 2 match Test series against Sri Lanka.

The Proteas can reclaim their top spot from Australia if they manage to win the series against the Islanders.

The 31-year-old Amla who has scored 2 centuries in the 3-match ODI series that saw South Africa clinch their first ever ODI series in Sri Lanka, will be the first non-white player to captain the Test side on a full-time basis. Ashwell Prince led them in two Tests against Sri Lanka, on Smith’s absence, as a non-regular skipper.

"It's a newish team with a few new names,” Amla pointed out on the absence of former skipper Graeme Smith and all-rounder Jacques Kallis due to retirements.

“It took the previous team a few years before we found a winning combination. It will be naive to think it won't take time before we find another winning combination," said Amla who will also be missing the services of Mark Boucher.

"Not many teams go to Sri Lanka and dominate," he concluded.