 During bilateral series against New Zealand in January 2013, Amla was requested to lead the team due to suspension of regular captain AB de Villiers for 2 matches due to slow overrate, that Amla declined requesting to be left to "concentrate on his batting".In August 2013, it was announced that Amla had signed for Surrey, for whom he made a limited number of appearances in domestic matches.For his performances in 2013, he was named both in the World Test XI and ODI XI by the ICC .