Hashim Amla is a rare beacon of qualified NatWest Series success for South Africa - but he knows he has a long way to go to establish himself as a one-day international fixture.

While most around him have been failing conspicuously to play to their potential as the tourists face up to the possibility of a 5-0 whitewash against England, Amla is taking advantage of his unexpected run at the top of the order.

The 25-year-old has 29 Tests under his belt already, having made his debut almost four years ago.

Yet he did not begin his ODI career until March this year and was slipped into the team to face England only last week, because of Graeme Smith's absence with his tennis elbow injury.

Scores of 46 and 34 have followed in his two attempts as a limited-overs opener so far - contributions which have left Amla, more accustomed to number three in Test cricket, with mixed feelings.

"The early signs are good. I've managed to get two decent knocks," he said.

"But unfortunately, I haven't kicked on yet - which, in international cricket, you have to do if you want to win games.

"I've had good starts and managed to contribute somewhat, but it's been a disappointment not to kick on and get a big knock."

South Africa will take a "big knock" from anyone in the final match of the series in Cardiff on Wednesday - when another defeat would see them cede second place in the world rankings to their conquerors.

Amla, meanwhile, is not one to take issue over his belated entrance into the one-day arena; he is simply determined to make the most of the opportunity now it has arisen.

"I'm really happy that I've got this chance," he said.

"From the start, I knew it was going to be whether Graeme was fit enough or not.

"It's given me a great opportunity to try to get acclimatised to one-day cricket."

The wristy right-hander has enough shots to have been a more obvious selection in the shorter form of the game - but he did not spend his four years on the sidelines chuntering about his absence.

"I hadn't done as well as I would like to over the past six seasons in the one-day format of the game back home - so I wasn't really surprised or frustrated (to be omitted)," he explains.

"I think if you're honest you don't necessarily 'believe' until you try a game and succeed in it.

"I always felt that, given the opportunity - after I'd done well at Test cricket - although one-day cricket is a huge difference, the basics stay the same.

"I felt that if I applied myself to the basics and had a good game plan, I ought to be able to be successful."

There is no reason why Amla's early cameos - he took four fours in one over off Steve Harmison in Sunday's rain-shortened match at Lord's - should not be the precursors of more substantial innings.

His appetite for the challenge is certainly not in doubt.

"A lot of people haven't seen me play one-day cricket yet. But I enjoy the format, because it's very exciting," he said.

"I have a role to play in Test cricket and try to fulfil it.

"In one-day cricket, batting up the order is more suited to me - with the field up - because I'm not a huge six hitter.

"You just have to adapt."

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