Hashim Amla signs two-year Kolpak deal with Surrey

Hashim Amla is the latest South Africa to go the Kolpak way as the former international batsman signed a two-year-contract with Surrey, the club announced on Tuesday. Amla will team-up with his former South Africa teammate Morne Morkel at the Oval till the 2021 season.

"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," he said. "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 retired from international cricket in August, as South Africa's second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket after Jacques Kallis, with 9282 at 46.64. He scored 28 centuries, also second best after Kallis. Amla is the only South African batsman to score a triple-century in Tests, when he made 311 not out against England in 2008. The feat of South Africa's only triple-century in Tests also belongs to Amla, scoring an unbeaten 311 against England in 2012 at The Oval. He was named South Africa Cricketer of the Year in 2010 and again in 2013.

In ODIs, his 8113 runs are third most for South Africa after Kallis and AB de Villiers. Amla averaged 49.46 from 178 ODI innings and scored a record 27 centuries in the format. He knocked off several batting records in ODIs too, such as fastest to 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 runs and the quickest to get to 10 centuries.

Director of Cricket Alex Steward was pleased to welcome Amla, believing his presence in the side will bring the best out of the club.

"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," he said. "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."