Twitter unimpressed with Hashim Amla's selection in South Africa's World Cup 2019 squad

South Africa were facing a huge dilemma before announcing their World Cup squad. They had to choose between one – out-of-form but a proven campaigner Hashim Amla or the promising Reeza Hendricks. Speculations were rife that the selectors would drop the veteran batsman in order to make room for Hendricks who has impressed in recent times. While Amla has not managed to deliver as per expectations, Hendricks has grabbed his recent opportunities with both hands.

Hendricks, who scored a century on his ODI debut, scored 412 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 142.56 with four consecutive fifty-plus scores – including back-to-back hundreds – in the Mzansi Super League. In South Africa’s last international assignment which was the T20I series against Sri Lanka, he scored two fifties. On the other hand, Amla has managed to score just 61 runs in 5 innings of the ongoing CSA T20 challenge.

However, the South Africa selectors went for experience over promise as they picked Amla over Hendricks in the 15-man squad announced on Thursday. With Aiden Markram being the other opener in the squad, Hendricks had to miss out. With Amla failing to do well in recent times, the only thing that perhaps worked in his favour was his experience. The veteran batsman is the most experienced batsman in the current South African team.

A veteran of 174 ODIs, Amla has so far scored 27 tons. Amla has so far played in two World Cups and has done reasonably well. In 15 World Cup innings so far, he has scored two centuries although they came against Netherlands and Ireland. In addition, he also scored three fifties. In both the World Cups, he scored over 300 runs. Moreover, he enjoys a very good track record in England. The right-handed batsman has so far played 17 ODI innings in England, scoring 851 runs at an average of 56.73 with two hundreds and four fifties.

Amla’s selection, however, did not go down well with many as a number of fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment over the decision.

Here are some of the reactions:

The Cricket South Africa has select Hashim Amla for the world cup starting next month!!
What is the rationale behind selecting a player who is so OFF FORM?

— DT (@DT72901494) April 18, 2019

Why is Hashim Amla going to the cricket world cup?!? pic.twitter.com/uTRdKMcKWc

— 26-04-2019 (@Mathope_19) April 18, 2019

I’m listing my opinion ons the protea’s world cup squad. Great players in the squad except for Hashim Amla and Anrich Nortjie. Nothing against those two. I think Amla is just past his time and for me Mulder is just better. I feel for Reeza and Mulder.

— Herman_Prinsloo (@HPrinsloo24) April 18, 2019

Why is Hashim Amla selected in South African squad WC2019 ???
This guy he's no longer the best anymore his to slow#cwc19 — feeling disappointed

— Mahlatse (@egmahlatse) April 18, 2019

I love Hashim Amla but his been out of form for 3 years

— ⌛ 🇿🇦 ⏳ (@talu_lesley8) April 18, 2019

what on earth is hashim amla doing there..he's not on form n he messes wth many balls as fr as m https://t.co/JkbK5UrX49 the selector's goes wth the names or current form?.

— luvies (@luvies15) April 18, 2019

What a joke Hashim Amla going to the #CricketWC #ProteaFire

— Chief Mazzi Magodla (@pupolisto) April 18, 2019

#CWC19 14/15 ✔️ The selection of Hashim Amla @amlahash has been an emotional one. His current form does not warrant selection. Terribly sad for Reeza Hendricks @reezahendricks

— Suliman Bhabha (@s_bhabs) April 18, 2019

I keep wondering why players should perform when other players know that their favorites….
Hashim Amla is been going out on golden ducks on the past 4 games he played

— matshweu Rebecca (@mrtshosane) April 18, 2019

I still dnt knw hw some of the guyz made it to the team…. For instance Hashim Amla…

— Monwabisi (@Mdywili) April 18, 2019

Hashim Amla has been horrible for 3 years consecutively without fail yet he is in that World Cup squad.

This shiid doesn't make sense.

— Theloniuos Jaha (@Real_Nelson0) April 18, 2019

Reeza Hendricks should have been selected in place of aging Hashim Amla,,anrich nortjie is good pick #lethal bowler

— Munawar Hussain (@Munawar0122) April 18, 2019

Proteas should have actually sacrificed Hashim Amla for Reeza Hendricks. #CWC19

— Abe (@YZEE_ADONIS) April 18, 2019

I want to know what criteria was used to select Hashim Amla!?

At No. 3, from 34 ODI matches in the past 2.5 years, Amla has scored only 4 centuries & 7 half centuries.

Why he is being picked!? Don't we have enough youngsters to take over!?@robertmarawa@MarawaSportShow#MSW pic.twitter.com/L6TUYSAOtV

— Free King Dalindyebo (@Spiwo) April 18, 2019

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