ILLOVO – Cricket lovers have a great time at national sporting hero's 100th Test match.
Nicholas Zaal and Lunga Mzangwe rkg@caxton.co.za
The only thing more solid than South Africa’s batting during the first day of the third Test against Sri Lanka, was the crowd’s support of sporting hero, Hashim Amla.
It may have been a working day, but a few thousand had already arrived at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium by 10am on 12 January, for the dead-rubber match in a three-match Test series that South Africa leads 2–0.
The band rocks at Castle Corner.
The band at Castle Corner provided lively music to accompany an already lively atmosphere, as every run was cheered on. South Africa captain Faf du Plessis elected to bat first, and after Stephen Cook was out for 10, Amla walked to the crease for his 100th Test match for South Africa. Loud cheering ensued, as the crowd stood to its feet to applaud such a great servant of the game for South Africa.
Applause erupted again when Amla and JP Duminy reached their 100-run partnership, and as Amla approached his half-century, the tension was also felt in the stands. Everyone wanted Amla to score a 50. The Sri Lankan fielders closed in to try prevent the single, but all they could do was delay the inevitable.
Sri Lankan supporters.
After a few dot balls, Amla punched a ball straight past the bowler for his 32nd Test 50, off 119 balls. The crowd stood to its feet in applause.
“The partnership between Amla and Duminy is working, I hope they can push on,” grinned eleven-year-old, Lomso Zide, who was enjoying watching the game with his mom, Thandi.
A group of friends dress in white for the Test match.
A family of Sri Lankans from Colombo, along with more family members who had moved to Joburg, were watching the game in their blue and gold shirts, waving the Sri Lankan flag high and cheering their team on. “We support them [Sri Lanka] all the way, and we will be here for the T20s and one-days as well. Good luck South Africa and Sri Lanka, may the best team win,” said family member Michelle Fonseka.
Proboda Senarathne, who was born in South Africa, but whose parents are from Sri Lanka, sported a Sri Lankan shirt and a South African flag to match his heritage. He could not say which team he was supporting exactly but called Amla an awesome cricketer and excellent representative for South Africa.
Another supporter, Myron Cheng had come to support South Africa. “He is one of the classiest players in the world, and one of the calmest as well,” he said of Amla.
