Former South Africa batsman Hashim Amla has signed a two-year Kolpak contract with Surrey. 

The 36-year-old announced his retirement from international cricket in August, ending his career as the Proteas’ second-highest run-getter in Tests, having amassed 9,282 runs from 124 matches. His highest Test score of 311 not out came against England at The Oval – Surrey’s home ground – in 2012.

Amla’s stint in south London will be his third at the club. He made 14 appearances for the county across 2013 and 2014, hitting 663 runs at an average of 47.35 in his 10 first-class matches.

[caption id=”attachment_125540″ align=”alignnone” width=”800″] Amla batting for Surrey in the County Championship, June 22, 2014[/caption]

Amla’s move to Surrey will seem him reunite with Morne Morkel, his former South Africa teammate.

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“Surrey are one of the most established and accomplished cricket clubs in the world and I am very excited to be joining them again while also not forgetting the opportunity to play alongside my good friend Morne Morkel again,” Amla said.

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“I was part of the Surrey team in 2013 and 2014 and thoroughly enjoyed myself during those stints, so to rekindle that relationship for a longer period is something that excites me. I’m really looking forward to working with Alec Stewart and the rest of his team.”

Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of cricket, said: “With several of our players now in or around the international setup, the opportunity to bring Hashim back to Surrey was too good to ignore.

“His record speaks for itself and we know from his previous spells here that he will be an excellent resource for all of our players to learn from both on and off the field.”