South Africa not risking complacency against West Indies ahead of Test series: Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla will lead the Proteas in the Tests against West Indies

Johannesburg, Dec 3 – South Africa captain Hashim Amla said South Africa do not intend to underestimate the West Indies when the series against the tourists from the Caribbean gets underway on December 17.

The eighth-ranked West Indies come into the series with six losses from their last 10 Tests, but Amla believes Denesh Ramdin's men would provide a good contest for the Proteas.

"There's definitely no need to be complacent against the West Indies. They are a team that has a lot of explosive power, they play colourful, exciting cricket," Amla said on Tuesday.

The first of the three Tests begins on December 17 at the Centurion.

"There's no reason for us to hold them in any lighter esteem. We've got a good squad and the strength of our team is concentrating on what we do well."

South Africa are coming off a 1-4 One-Day International (ODI) series loss against Australia last month. However, Amla is optimistic that their 50-over struggles against the Aussies will not return to haunt them against their West Indian rivals.

"I don't think any of the baggage will follow us. Test cricket is a largely different format from one-day cricket. Being at home with the team we have -- an almost developing Test team -- I don't think that series will impact us," he said.

The second Test starts on December 26, Boxing Day, with the final Test due to start on January 2 at Cape Town, followed by three Twenty20 (T20) internationals and five ODIs.