As a big boost to Hampshire, South Africa batsman Hashim Amla has agreed to join the English county club for the first three months of the 2018 season.

Amla, who has amassed 8,786 runs from 113 Tests for South Africa recently scored three fifties from two Tests in difficult conditions against India at home and will feature in both the County Championship and 50-over games for the club.

"Everyone I have spoken to, who have either played or are currently playing there, have only had good things to say about the team," Amla told Hampshire's official website.

"I look forward to spending the first three months of the season with them, which works out well for me to be able to get some high-quality cricket in before the Proteas tour to Sri Lanka in July."

Amla has already represented Essex (2009), Nottinghamshire (2010), Surrey (2013) and Derbyshire (2015) in the past but this will be his first stint with Hampshire.

Hampshire director of cricket Giles White welcomed Amla's addition to the club and is confident that his experience will benefit the side.

He's a world-class player and this addition adds strength and depth to our batting for the first three months of the season - runs on the board are important and hopefully this will help us achieve that consistently in both the four-day and 50-over competitions.

"We're looking forward to welcoming Hashim and his family to the club."

Hampshire will open the 2018 season with a clash against Worcestershire at Rose Bowl in Southampton on 13th April.

© Cricket World 2018