Hashim Amla named Lions batting coach for three years

Former South Africa batter Hashim Amla has been appointed batting coach of the Johannesburg-based Lions for the next three years. Amla joins former South Africa coach Russell Domingo at the Wanderers and replaces Michael Smith, who has moved to the Big Bash. Domingo is also new to the role and took over from Wandile Gwavu, who is the South African's men's white-ball fielding coach.

This is Amla's first role with a provincial team in South Africa after he had served as batting consultant for MI Cape Town in the SA20 and in the same role for the Cape Town Blitz in the now-defunct Mzansi Super League. His move into full-time coaching comes in the same year that he last played the game; Amla featured in two matches for the World Giants in the Masters Legends League earlier this year, but has retired from all other forms of the game.

"I am truly delighted to work with Lions Cricket. They are one of the largest Protea producing teams in the country and to work with their players is an honour," Amla said in a statement issued by the Lions on Wednesday. "The head coach Russel Domingo and I go back many years: I had him as a coach whilst with the Proteas and his experience as an international coach is something I am eager to team up with and share in."

Amla's duties begin with immediate effect, with South Africa's domestic teams in pre-season training though the fixtures for the 2023-24 season are yet to be announced. All eight division one teams are expected to play seven first-class games, compete in the fifty-over one-day cup and to play a T20 competition. The Lions are among South Africa's more successful franchises and have won five titles in the last four seasons.