Top South African batsman Hashim Amla has announced his shock decision to resign as the Proteas test captain in order to focus on his role in the team as an opening batsman.

The humble professional cricketer announced his decision to relinquish the captaincy following a draw against England in the second of a four-test series currently under way in South Africa.

The Proteas were on the backfoot in the test match, seeing the English produce a stunning 629/6 declared in the first innings, but a fantastic effort from the Proteas, and Amla in particular, saw them claw back for a draw. The captain led by example, scoring a phenomenal 201 runs.

Amla’s statement on the matter read as follows: “After careful consideration and considerable thought, I wish to announce I will be stepping down as captain of the Proteas test team with immediate effect. This decision was not an easy one to make but I felt I needed to be true to myself, having done a personal introspection.”

The batsman added: “I feel comfortable with my decision, knowing that I have given my best at all times and will continue to do so. However, I feel there is a greater need to work on my own game, thus giving me the opportunity to continue contributing as a batsman.”

Explaining his decision further at the post match press conference in Cape Town on Wednesday night, Amla revealed that he believed that others were better placed to lead the team, telling the media that AB de Villiers would assume the skipper role for the remaining two tests of the series, which at the moment is 1-0 in favour of the visiting English.

“I felt someone else could do a better job. The decision was not made over the last couple of days. It was made at least two weeks ago,” Amla revealed to the assembled media and television audience.

“I had chatted to a few of the guys before this so this did not come as a massive shock to them,” he added. “We have a very tight leadership team – myself, AB, Faf (du Plessis), quite a few of the senior guys. AB is very able and a brilliant captain himself.”

Amla captained the Proteas in test cricket on 14 occasions, winning four, losing four and drawing six.