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« Previous EntriesHashim Amla, the greatest batsman that South Africa has produced
It’s a bold statement and one not made lightly. I’m of the opinion that Hashim Amla will become the highest scoring Test batsman that South Africa has ever produced.
My opinion is not based merely on the recent batting lessons that he gave India, but on his past performances and how he plays his cricket. Amla is the most patient batsman that I have ever seen play, except Jack Russell in that Wanderers Test. Amla plays with total control, self-discipline and with powers of concentration that is unrivalled.
When Amla get’s in, he converts
AB de Villiers has long been touted as the next great batsman, but AB’s inability to convert half-centuries into centuries is becoming a problem for him. de Villiers has no patients at all, he plays at just about everything and it’s starting to tell on his performance. de Villiers has scored 21 half-centuries, and has only 9 centuries – Amla has 16 half-centuries and 10 centuries.
Current the only South African player in Amla’s class is Jacques Kallis, Kallis has done magnificently well for South Africa, and holds the record for most runs scored by a South African in Test cricket. Kallis is eight years Amla’s senior, Amla is 7 000 odd runs behind Kallis, then consider that Amla has scored 948 runs in the last 12 months – Amla will surpass that record.
Recent Test series performances:
- Australia (Away): 6 innings, 259 runs at an average of 51.8
- Australia (Home): 5 innings, 147 runs at an average of 29.4
- England (Home): 7 innings, 311 runs at an average of 44.4
- India (Away): 3 innings, 490 runs at an average of 490.0
Career highlights:
- Highest score 253* against India.
- Test century at Lords, 2008 114*
- 16 half centuries
- 10 centuries
Hashim Amla’s cricketing achievements are complemented by the way the man lives his life. He’s a religious man who doesn’t drink, carries himself with pride and has respect for his fellow team mates and opposition alike. Have you ever seen Amla swing his bat in anger after getting out? Or shake his head at a poor decision?
Hashim Amla is more than a great batsman, he’s a true gentleman of the game and role model to the South African youth.
Never trust a cricket player
Come all ye fair young maidens and harken unto me,
Never trust a cricketer, whoever he may be.
Randier than a sailor, who’s been six months at sea.
Never let a cricketer’s hand an inch above your knee.
First let’s take the Paceman, pure speed from first to last.
My darlings do be careful, his balls are hard and fast.
Then there’s the Medium Pacer, his balls swing either way.
He’s really most persistent and can keep it up all day.
Watch out for the Off-spinner, girls, another awkward chap.
If you leave him half an opening, he will slip one through the gap.
Then there’s the wiley ’slowy’, pure cunning is his strength,
He’ll tempt you, then he’ll trap you with his very subtle length.
So ladies, do be careful—your mothers would agree.
Never trust a cricketer—-whoever he may be.
And what about the Opening bat, his struggles never cease,
He has just one ambition, to spend all day at the ’crease’.
The number Three is a dasher, he seldom prods and pokes,
When he goes into action, he has a fine array of strokes.
And do beware the Slogger, not content with one or two,
When he opens up for action, then only six will do.
Then there’s the real stonewaller, girls, he knows what he’s about,
and if you let him settle in, it’s hard to get him out.
We come now to the last man, be ready for a shock,
He doesn’t mind if he’s last man in -as long as he gets a knock.
So, darlings, do be careful-and be well warned by me,
Never trust a cricketer- whoever he may be.
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This was sent in by Pierre de Villiers
Cricket Statistics: The Wanderers, Johannesburg
The Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Formerly known as: Kent Park
Capacity: 34 000
End Names: Corlett Drive End, Golf Course End
Home team: Lions
The Wanderers is also known as the Bull Ring, it’s the premier cricket stadium in South Africa holding the biggest capacity. The Wanderers is also the home of Cricket South Africa.
The Wanderers, formerly sponsored by Liberty Life, and now by Bidvest is one of the most intimidating stadiums South African cricket has to offer, not only does it have the biggest capacity, but the Johannesburg crowd love their cricket and their team. The Johannesburg crowd is not afraid to voice their opinions of players fielding on the boundary.
The Wanderers cricket stadium hosted the final of the 2003 cricket world cup final between India and Australia, which Australia won by 125 runs. The stadium also hosted the 438 game on the 12th of March 2006, the One Day International (ODI) between Australia and South Africa broke the record for the highest score in ODI cricket…. twice in one night. In the first inning Ricky Ponting top scored with 164, to see his team set the highest total in ODI cricket, 434. Chasing the highest total ever, the never say die attitude of the Proteas cricket team was put on display by Herschelle Gibbs when he scored 175 runs to win the game by 1 wicket with 1 ball remaining, and by doing so South Africa set the highest total in ODI cricket, 438.
| First Test Match | South Africa v England – Dec 24-29, 1956 |
| Last Test Match | South Africa v Australia – Feb 26-Mar 2, 2009 |
| Matches Played | 31 |
| Matches Won by Home Side | 12 |
| Matches Won by Touring Side | 9 |
| Matches Drawn | 10 |
| Matches Tied | 0 |
| Highest Individual Innings (Test) | 214 Greg Blewett 1997 South Africa v Australia |
| Best Bowling (Innings)(Test) | 9/113 Hugh Tayfield 1957 South Africa v England |
| Best Bowling (Match)(Test) | 13/192Hugh Tayfield 1957 South Africa v England |
| Highest Team Innings | 652/7 dec by Australia 2002 v South Africa |
| Lowest Team Innings | 72 South Africa 1956 v England |
| Highest Run Chase Achieved | 294/8 Australia 2005/6 v South Africa |
| Average Runs per Wicket | 30.25 |
| Average Runs per Over | 2.96 |
Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini share the title for most wickets taken at The Wanderers, with 53 each. Polly has a slightly better economy rate of 2.44. Jacques Kallis holds the record for most runs at the ground on 994, which includes two centuries, four half-centuries with a highest score of 186 against New Zealand.
Q & A : Twitter Questions
As you may be aware, SA Cricket Blog, has a Twitter account: @sacricketblog, I love being on Twitter, especially during cricket games as it gives me a chance to chat and discuss events as they happen, and get the opinions of other people. Being on Twitter also gives you access to some of the past and current players as well as professional journalists.
I was recently asked two questions via Twitter. The first one was from @blindcripple, he asked: “Why is it we’re limited to overs on the final day with only one wicket left? I thought if light was okay, we could keep going?” link to original tweet. @Blindcripple was referring to the final days play at SuperSport Park Centurion when South Africa required just one more wicket to win the test match.
So I looked up the laws governing test cricket, and this is what I found:
Law 16.2 Extra Time
The umpires may decide to play 30 minutes (a minimum of eight overs) extra time at the end of any day (other than the last day) if requested by either captain if, in the umpires opinion, it would bring about a definite result on that day [this is in addition to the additional time provided for in Clause 16.1.3 above]. If the umpires do not believe a result can be achieved no extra time shall be allowed.
Hope that answers your question @blindcripple.
The second question came from @gabyrosario, she asked: “Re: anti corruption in cricket, how does the ICC protect players. Exactly? Looked online ACSU not telling me anything.” link to original tweet.
I personally don’t think that it’s up to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to protect players from corruption. I’m of the opinion that every international cricket player is a professional sportsman who knows right from wrong. It’s up to the individual to decide weather they want to break the laws. It’s quite simple to me, if someone is offering you money for information or to alter the result of a game then you’re breaking the laws.
I did however find a link on the ICC’s website that offers more information on what the ICC are doing to fight corruption in cricket. Link to ICC Anti Corruption initiative
Hope you get further information from that link @gabyrosario
Looking forward to answering your questions posted either on the blog, via twitter or email.
Makhaya Ntini 100*
Makhaya Ntini is set to make history in the first test against England tomorrow. Ntini will become the fifth South African to play 100 test matches, and the only black player to achieve this feat. The other members of this exclusive club are: Jacques Kallis (130), Mark Boucher (125), Shaun Pollock (108) and Gary Kirsten (101).
Ntini becomes only the sixth fast bowler in the history of test cricket to play 100 test matches. Ntini currently has 388 test wickets to his name, just 12 shy of 400. Ntini is 34 wickets away from the record of test wickets by a South African, currently held by Shaun Pollock on 421. I’m not sure Makhaya Ntini’s test career will span long enough for him to get past Polly, but you never now a batting collapse in a few innings by England might just get him there.
Congratulations Makhaya Ntini on your test century, I’m looking forward to seeing your t-shit when you take a wicket in your 100th game, I’m sure there will be a message under there like when you took your 300th test wicket.
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