Why is Hashim Amla not playing in today’s match vs Australia | Cricket World Cup 2019

Why is Hashim Amla not playing for South Africa in their last league match of the ongoing Cricket World Cup vs Australia?

During the 45th match of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between Australia and South Africa at The Old Trafford in Manchester, South Africa’s veteran batsman Hashim Amla hasn’t found a place in the playing XI.

South Africa have already crashed out of the tournament, with only two wins in the eight matches they have played so far. They will play for pride against the table toppers Australia, who have lost just a solitary match versus India during the initial stages of the marquee tournament.

Australia need to win their final league match today to stay at the top of the table, if India manage to defeat their ongoing match against Sri Lanka at Headingley.

Owing to knee injury

The 36-year-old will miss potentially his last World Cup match owing to a knee injury. South African skipper Faf Du Plessis after winning the Toss, decided to bat first and had to go for the aforementioned forced change, as Amla was hit on his knee during the practice session.

As per the reports, Amla was playing soccer with his teammates before official training began at Old Trafford on Friday when he fell to the ground and clutched his left knee.

He has not had the kind of World Cup he and his team would have wanted, with only two half-centuries under his belt in the marquee tournament.

He looked in fine touch during his previous innings of 80* off 105 balls against Sri Lanka in a winning cause at the Chester-le-Street, Durham.

He has in fact made way for the Chinaman spinner- Tabraiz Shamsi in the playing 11. Shamsi has played just a lone match in the World Cup so far against India on June 5 at Southampton.