Hashim Amla: Conditions will allow England to cause Australia problems in the Ashes

London Evening Standard



Given the chaos surrounding English cricket, there are few people who believe Australia will be handing over the Ashes at the end of this summer.



Peter Moores was sacked last week after England could only draw 1-1 against a West Indies side labelled “mediocre” by incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves before the three-match series. Clearly, the task for whoever is head coach come the first Ashes Test in Cardiff on July 8 is huge.



However, South Africa captain Hashim Amla does not think the tourists will get an easy ride.



“I can see England doing well against Australia,” says the man leading the world’s top Test team. “With a lot more bowler-friendly conditions in England, hopefully, it will be a good series. At the top of cricket it is us and Australia but England at home are quite a good team. To win they will have to bat well and do well in all the disciplines. Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad are still very good bowlers and both have troubled me at different times.



“Anderson has done better over a longer period of time. The conditions in England certainly suit him and his style of swinging the ball. A wonderful swing bowler, in the last few years, he has certainly been one of the top seam bowlers in the world along with Dale Steyn, Mitchell Johnson, Vernon Philander. Broad is a little different. He has pace and produces great spells.”