Hashim Amla: Surrey sign South Africa batsman

Hashim Amla

Surrey have signed South Africa international Hashim Amla for their final six County Championship matches.

Batsman Amla, 30, will make his debut for Surrey against Durham on 22 August.

JP Duminy had been due to join the club but is unavailable because of his Champions League commitments with the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

"It is great news because we have a world-class batsman and someone I hope will have an impact," said Surrey's director of cricket Alec Stewart.

Amla is currently the highest ranked Test batsman in the world and has 5,785 runs from his 70 Test matches.

He becomes the third high-profile Test batsman to join Surrey this season, with current South Africa captain Graeme Smith and former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting having played for the county this summer.

"It's something I've been working on for a while and Amla and Cricket South Africa have been quite outstanding in the way they have dealt with everything," added Stewart.

"I wanted someone available for all six and when we knew he was available it was a no brainer. I announced it to the team and they were very happy."

Amla, who scored 311 not out against England at The Oval last summer, said: "It is a great pleasure and honour to have been asked by Alec Stewart to play for Surrey County Cricket Club.

"The Oval holds a lot of fond memories for me personally. I look forward to returning there this year and hopefully enjoying similar success."