Embarrassed to overtake Viv Richards' record, says Hashim Amla

Prolific South African opener Hashim Amla said he was embarrassed to have overtaken West Indian legend Sir Viv Richards' record of being the quickest batsman to reach the 4000-run mark in ODIs.

During his knock of 100 runs in the second one-dayer against India, Amla became the quickest batsman to score 4000 ODI runs. He achieved this feat in 81 innings, while Richards took 88 for the same. (2nd ODI, as it happened)

"I am grateful for the record. But I feel a bit embarrassed to have it because Sir Viv Richards is certainly the master blaster, the original great batsman," said Amla.

"He is more deserving than anyone else. Fortunately I have met him on a few occasions, so it makes it even more embarrassing. It would be befitting if he was ahead."

"There is a lot of one-day cricket these days and no doubt someone else will come along and beat that and the game will just carry on," he added.

Amla's century helped South Africa reach 281 in the 49-overs-a-side game and then their bowlers did the rest, knocking India over for 134 runs. (Match report)

"I am very happy to get this hundred," he said. "Certainly it has been one of my leaner scoring grounds so I am glad to get some runs here."

Amla and opening partner Quinton de Kock put on 194 runs for the first wicket, following up on their 152-run partnership in the first ODI at Johannesburg.

"My partnership with Quinny, we have kind of clicked a bit. We have got something going. He has come a long way from the time we were in Sri Lanka, and there were a few doubts about his ability opening the batting against spin. But against Pakistan and against India here he has shown he has got all attributes to be a great player. He scores quickly, and he has got great thinking when he is batting." (Related: De Kock's successive tons)

"He has played less than 20 ODI games. To adjust like that, hopefully he has got a very bright future," said Amla.

Despite two heavy defeats Amla lent his support to the Indian team.

"To score runs, you need things to go your way. In both games, we could have been out at different points. But things have just gone our way in the last two games. India have bowled well upfront.

"They are the number one team in the world. They are not there for no reason. They have got great talent. They have scored big runs. We have had two really good games against them. I wouldn't be so judgemental on their batting. I do think we have the best bowling attack in the world, so we have to give our bowlers some due as well," Amla added.