Amla, AB both happy with playing surface
Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers have both expressed their satisfaction with the playing surface in Colombo after winning the first of a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka on Sunday.
Amla and de Villiers shared a 151-run partnership in South Africa’s total of 304 for 5 in the first innings, with the batsmen scoring 109 and 75 respectively. The Proteas then bowled the hosts out for 229 to seal a 75-run victory.
Opener Amla explained that the pitch was a little tricky to bat on when the ball was new, but he soon found his rhythm.
“At first, we hung in there,” Amla said. “Quinny [Quinton de Kock] got away a little but I just hung in and tried to support him in that phase. We took a little bit of time to settle and the wicket also got a little better.
“We played them on merit. It didn’t turn a hell of a lot,” he added. “AB [de Villiers] and I managed to get a rhythm going and rotate the strike but as the partnership progressed, it got easier.
“With AB at the end, the intensity is there, and you know you’re probably going to score quickly. These guys are good bowlers but the wicket didn’t turn a lot.”
De Villiers was similarly pleased with the surface, which he felt did not provide any obvious advantage to particular players.
“It was a good wicket throughout the 90 overs. There were no demons in there,” he said. “There was not a lot of turn but enough for the spinners to work with. There was also not a lot of seam movement or swing but enough to keep the seamers interested.”
The second ODI will be played on Wednesday in Pallekele.
