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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.
The significance of a Test century
A century scored on debut is a special achievement, doing it in India is even more impressive. Alviro Petersen become only the third South African to score a century on debut after Andrew Hudson (163 against West Indies at Bridgetown in April 1992) and Jacques Rudolph (222 not out against Bangladesh at Chittagong in April 2003).
Petersen came into the test team due to the injury to Mark Boucher. Ashwell Price dropped down the order to cover for Boucher, and Petersen opened the batting in place of Prince. Petersen’s century is a significant one, it ensured that this first class South African record of 1376 runs in the 2008-09 season in 15 matches, including six centuries was recognised, and it showed he has what it takes to step up to the pressure of Test cricket.
To put Petersen’s century as an opening batsman in perspective, consider this; In just this one innings Petersen has scored more runs than Prince has scored in his last nine inning (98). Prince has an average of 10.89 over those nine innings, and has not scored a half century in Test cricket in 11 months.
Ashwell Prince is more than likely playing in his last Test match, Mark Boucher will return to reclaim his position behind the wickets, I can’t see Prince boarding the plane to the Kingston, Jamaica when the Proteas take on the West Indies in a three match Test series.
Put the personal bests aside, this one is going to take a team effort.
What a glorious victory the boys produced in the first test on their tour to India, it truly is a great feat beating India by an innings in India, this has now been done by the Proteas three times.
It must however be noted that this test was won by three South Africans, the rest didn’t really feature.
Jacques Kallis, scored a magnificent century (173) and seems like the was well on his way to score his maiden Test double century. The class and elegancy with which Kallis played, with was only match by this third wicket partner Hashim Amla.
Hashim Amla’s double century was one of the finest batting performances I have and will probably ever watch. Amla played with total control, his patience is astounding and ability to concentrate is unsurpassed in South African cricket. Amla was on track to beat Graeme Smiths record of 277 as the highest test score by a South African until the team declared on 6558/6, which left Amla on 253*.
Some naysayers have commented that Smith declared so that Amla didn’t beat his record, this is unfounded speculation. The team needed to declare and I thought that allowing Amla to get 250 was a great gesture. Hashim Amla is a team man, and I’m sure he’s happy that he got the opportunity to post one of the highest totals scored in South African test history.
Dale Steyn also produced a personal best, he took 7 wickets in the first innings to destroy India single handily. He went on to take another 3 wicket in the second innings to end with 10 wickets in the test match, a truly remarkable performance.
Having mentioned those three players, the rest didn’t inspire confidence, except de Villiers knock of 53. Looking forward to the second test we can expect a stronger Indian side, playing on a pitch that will suit them. We’ll need a team performance to pull this one off; we can simply rely on the same guys that pull it off each game.
The South African management need to make a call on Prince, the man is not up to playing Test cricket anymore and needs to make way. I would drop Price, replace him with Alviro Petersen, Petersen gives us the additional advantage of another spin option. Mark Boucher could also find himself sitting this one out, which in my opinion wouldn’t be the worst thing; it would allow Johan Botha to play. If Botha and Petersen play the Proteas will have an excellent chance of winning on what WILL be a spinner paradise.
Proteas Team : Charl Langeveldt added to ODI squad
Cape Cobras bowler Charl Langeveldt has been called up to the Proteas ODI squad for the tour of India. Langeveldt was originally left out the ODI squad, this could be seen as one of ‘those’ decisions that represents the breakdown between Cricket South Africa and Mickey Arthur’s ‘vision’ and structure.
It was reported that between Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Wayne Parnell they have played only 67 matches, where Charl Langeveldt has played 64 ODI games. Langeveldt has also been selected with a view towards the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies and then next year’s ICC World Cup.
Langeveldt will have to pick up his game before he heads to India, this figures of 3 overs for 45 runs against the Titans in the Standard Bank Pro20, on Sunday evening were not the most inspiring. He did however demolish the Lions in the previous game, taking 3 wickets from 4 overs for just 18 runs, but that was against the Lions……
ODI squad: Graeme Smith, Loots Bosman, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Charl Langeveldt, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Roelof van der Merwe.
Proteas team for first test
South Africa start the Test series today against India, the team is as follows:
Graeme Smith (capt), Ashwell Prince, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher (wk), Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, Morne Morkel, Paul Harris.
So my prediction that Johan Botha would pip Paul Harris was wrong, also thought that they might play both spinners.
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