The Standard Bank Pro20 game between the Cape Cobras and Eagles last Wednesday evening produced the catch of the series. Reeza Hendricks took this amazing catch to dismiss Andrew Puttick.

The Eagles went on to win the game by 8 wickets, thanks to an unbeaten 85 runs from their captain Morne van Wyk.

This video was sent in by: @Boundary_Rider via Twitter

The recent Test series played in India has resulted in some movement in the ICC player rankings.

Hashim Amla’s recent success has seen him gain eight places in the latest rankings, and is now in second position, not far behind India’s Virender Sehwag.

In the bowler’s standings, Dale Steyn remains in the number 1 position, with his bowling partner coming in at number 10.

Top 10 Test batsmen:

1. Virender Sehwag (IND) 863
2. Hashim Amla (RSA) 842
3. Mahela Jayawardena (SRI) 836
4. Kumar Sangakkara (SRI) 835
5. Gautam Gambhir (IND) 824
T6. Sachin Tendulkar (IND) 805
T6. Michael Clarke (AUS) 805
8. Jacques Kallis (RSA) 790
9. Graeme Smith (RSA) 786
10. Ricky Ponting (AUS) 783

Top 10 Test bowlers:

1. Dale Steyn (RSA) 867
2. Mitchell Johnson (AUS) 780
3. Mohammad Asif (PAK) 757
4. M Muralidaran (SRI) 752
5. Graeme Swann (ENG) 732
6. Zaheer Khan (IND) 729
7. Harbhajan Singh (IND) 712
8. Stuart Broad (ENG) 673
9. Stuart Clark (AUS) 668
10. Morne Morkel (RSA) 660

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.

2010 Standard Bank Pro20 Log was last updated:22th February 2010

Vs

*Times are local time

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.

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.

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.

In this weeks Pro20 update, we have a captain falling, opening batsmen scoring runs and the IPL muscling in on domestic cricket in South Africa.

This last weekends Pro20 results:

Friday 5th, Cape Cobras beat the Highveld Lions by 42 runs

Sunday 7th, Titans beat the Cape Cobras by 17 runs (D/L shortened game)

Sunday 7th, Warriors beat the Dolphins by 23 runs

note: So far in the Standard Bank Pro20 the team batting first has won every game

Neil McKenzie gets the sack

News of the day is that Highveld Lions captain Neil McKenzie has been relieved of his duties as captain, but will stay on as a senior player in the team. McKenzie has been the captain of the Lions since 2004, and truth be told the Lions have not done well for a long time now. The Lions have announced that Alviro Petersen will captain the team upon his return from India, in the mean time wicket keeper Thami Tsolekile will lead the team. I would suggest that the newly appoint coach of The Lions, Dave Nosworthy, is building a new team and new leadership from within.

IPL Muscles in on domestic cricket

Earlier in the year Shane Warne mentioned that this was going to be a massive year for him, and he now seems to have shown his hand, it was announced that the IPL team The Rajasthan Royals that Warne captained, had struck a deal where the following teams; Hampshire, Cape Cobras and Trinidad and Tobago along with a yet-to-be-confirmed Australia state team, would form an international Twenty20 (Pro20) brand. Each team will now play under the Royals name.

I’m not too keen on this idea, why does one of South Africa’s leading domestic teams need to be influenced by and IPL team? This move seems to cement the notion of big money taking over cricket, it’s now on our door step, the IPL is having a direct influence on our domestic game. More to follow on this story….

Gulam Bodi gets player of the week

Titans opening batsman is my choice for Pro20 player of the week. Bodi hit an impressive 88* runs of just 44 balls in his innings against The Cobras at SuperSport park. His innings included six 6’s and seven 4’s. Bodi would have had the chance to have made is maiden Pro20 century had it not been for a reduced innings due to rain.

Change of Venue:

Cricket South Africa has announced that the Standard Bank Pro20 match between the Nashua Titans and the bizhub Highveld Lions, due to be played on Wednesday, 10 February 2010, has been moved from Willowmoore Park in Benoni, to SuperSport Park in Centurion, because of a waterlogged field. This is great news for the Titans, Willowmore Park is a grave yard for Titans cricket.