Hashim Amla drives through the covers © Getty Images
Surrey have completed the signing of Hashim Amla on a Kolpak registration.
As reported by ESPNcricinfo, Amla joins the club on a two-year deal, though the second year could be jeopardised by the UK’s impending departure from the European Union.
Amla, 36, retired from international cricket in August after a 15-year career playing for South Africa, and joins his former team-mate Morne Morkel at The Oval.
He previously played for Surrey as an overseas player in 2013 and 2014, and ESPNcricinfo understands his representatives also held talks with Middlesex and Hampshire.
Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of cricket, said that the number of his players in or around the England set-up meant that the opportunity to sign Amla was “too good to ignore”.
“His record speaks for itself and we know from his previous spells here that he will be an excellent resource for all of our players to learn from both on and off the field.
“With several of our players now in or around the international setup, the opportunity to bring Hashim back to Surrey was too good to ignore.”
Amla said: “Surrey are one of the most established and accomplished cricket clubs in the world and I am very excited to be joining them again while also not forgetting the opportunity to play alongside my good friend Morne Morkel again.
“I was part of the Surrey team in 2013 and 2014 and thoroughly enjoyed myself during those stints, so to rekindle that relationship for a longer period is something that excites me. I’m really looking forward to working with Alec Stewart and the rest of his team.”
Amla is the latest in a raft of signings the club has made in the past week. Michael Neser (Championship), D’Arcy Short and Shadab Khan (both T20 Blast) will join as overseas players, while Reece Topley has signed on a white-ball deal. Nick Kimber and James Taylor, both England Under-19 internationals, have joined from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire respectively.
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo