Hashim Amla: AB's 100th Test won't distract us

Amla believes AB will rise to the occasion on his 100th Test

South Africa captain Hashim Amla said AB de Villiers’ 100th Test will not distract the team from their main aim of trying to level the four-match Test series, reports ibnlive.

Speaking ahead of the second Test that begins in Bangalore on Saturday, Amla said that de Villiers’ milestone match will be an added incentive for him to perform and contribute to a winning cause.

"No it (De Villiers' 100th Test occasion) does not (distract the focus of the team)... Hopefully, he gets into the park tomorrow and wins the game for us - that will be ideal match for him and us," Amla said.

"Having lost the previous match, obviously it is not difficult for us to focus on this match. It’s been great to have something to celebrate, but in terms of taking our focus away, no I don't think so.”

On AB becoming only the seventh South African player to get to 100 tests, Amla said: “As a team, we all enjoy the fact that AB is playing his 100th game. As a South African, we know that this is an amazing feat. We have all celebrated the occasion.”

Amla believes that all the talk of a spinning track doesn’t bother the visitors’ batsmen and that it “was the lack of turn that did us in (at Mohali)”. The right-hander also said he doesn’t think the pitch in Bangalore will be similar to Mohali.

"I will have a look at the (Chinnaswamy) pitch tomorrow, but with these sorts of conditions and moisture around, it does not seem like the Mohali pitch," he said.

The Proteas skipper did not seem too bothered about the gloomy conditions, which he said was out of his control and said that the more disciplined attack will be the one that wins the game for their side.

“Lets see how the weather tomorrow is like. But if the ball does good-- seam bowling-- this type of conditions suits seam bowling than in my point of view India has got some disciplined bowlers as well so lets not rule them out as yet.

When the ball is moving and swinging all you got to do is land in a decent area -- no matter who is bowling, its a good ball. Hope our bowlers will do a good job for us," he said.

The Proteas who are 1-0 down in the series, following their loss at Mohali will without their two opening bowlers, Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn for the second Test.