Amla quits as South Africa captain

CAPE TOWN - Hashim Amla said Wednesday he was stepping aside as South Africa's Test captain with immediate effect, a day after a double century rescued his country from possible defeat in the second Test against England. The 32-year-old made the surprise announcement just minutes after the Test at Newlands ended in draw and after Amla had led a fight back to haul his team from a precarious position. AB de Villiers will take over as captain for the last two tests against England. "Naturally this decision is not an easy one but the more I think about it the more I believe I can be of greater value to the Proteas as a fully focused batsman and senior player at this time or rebuilding our team," Amla told reporters. "I will continue to give my all to the team." Amla said he had been considering quitting over the last fortnight, even before the start of the series against England and the loss of the first Test by 241 runs in Durban last week. "It's a bit of relief," he said. Amla captained South Africa for 14 Tests with four wins, six draws and four defeats. South Africa, despite being the top-ranked Test nation, has not won in its last eight Tests sketching back to more than a year and Amla's form has suffered. England holds on for draw Poor weather brought a limp end to a compelling second Test as England survived a final day onslaught from South Africa to draw the match and keep up its 1-0 lead in the series. England was 159 for six in its second innings, with Jonny Bairstow (30) and Moeen Ali (10) unbeaten, before drizzle and bad light halted play soon after tea Wednesday. South Africa's quick bowlers made inroads in the morning to offer the likelihood of a remarkable come-from-behind victory after England had dominated the opening two days to amass 629 for six declared in its first innings. South Africa clawed back over the next two days, keeping England in the field on hot, energy-sapping days as it slowly regained a foothold and eventually declared just two runs short of the visitors' total. A four-wicket burst before lunch Wednesday suddenly offered the tantalizing possibility of a result and two more in the second session brought South Africa even closer to scuttling out England before chasing down a modest target. But dogged resistance from Bairstow and Ali, in an unbroken 43-run partnership, and the gloomy weather dashed South Africa's hopes of pulling off a remarkable victory. The third Test will be at the Wanderers in Johannesburg from Jan. 14-18. England won the first Test in Durban by 241 runs. Scores: England 1st innings 629 for 6 decl. (B. Stokes 258, J. Bairstow 150 not out, A. Hales 60, J. Root 50) and 159-6 (J. Root 29, J. Taylor 27, B. Stokes 26, J. Bairstow 30 not out; D. Piedt 3-38). South Africa 1st innings 627 for 7 decl. (H. Amla 201, T. Bavuma 102 not out, A. de Villiers 88, F. du Plessis 86, C. Morris 69).