Amla confident of better returns

Back in the national team after a one-year absence, Hashim Amla, the 23-year-old South African batsman, insists that he is better equipped to make the most of his opportunity this time.

"The time out of the national team gave me the opportunity to work on my skills as a batsman," Amla, who has been included in the squad for the second Test against New Zealand, told journalists. "I've changed a couple of things, and I have been making lots of runs in the Supersport Series."

Amla made his Test debut against India in November 2004, but was dropped after his first six innings fetched just 62 runs, with a highest of 25. His tendency to shuffle across his stumps made him an lbw candicate, while question marks were also raised about his ability to handle the short deliveries. Amla, however, said that several coaches had advised him not to bother about the perceived kinks in his technique.

"They said I should just concentrate on making runs. I've worked on basic things, and I think I am a lot more mature and more experienced than when I last played for South Africa. No cricketer can ever claim to be perfect, and there are always things you can work on to improve your game. Every cricketer improves every year as he goes on, and gains more experience."

Amla is likely to take the No.3 slot in the batting line-up after Herschelle Gibbs was left out, and even though the New Zealand attack will be without Shane Bond, Amla reckoned it would be a big challenge for him. "Their attack is not like the Australian attack," he said, "but there is strength in their attack and they are ranked above us in the international Test ratings, so you can take nothing for granted."