Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla

Amla training with South Africa in 2009.
Personal information
Full name Hashim Mohammad Amla
Born 31 March 1983
Tongaat, Natal Province, South Africa
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Batting style Right-handed
Bowling style Right-arm medium
Role Batsman South Africa Test Captain
Relations Ahmed Amla (brother)
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 295) 28 November 2004 v India
Last Test 2 January 2015 v West Indies
ODI debut (cap 90) 9 March 2008 v Bangladesh
Last ODI 24 March 2015 v New Zealand
ODI shirt no. 1
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1999–2013 KwaZulu Natal Dolphins (squad no. 1)
2009 Essex
2010 Nottinghamshire
2013–present Cape Cobras
2013 Surrey
2015–present Derbyshire
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 82 115 184 168
Runs scored 6,757 5,692 14,217 7,336
Batting average 52.78 55.21 51.88 48.33
100s/50s 23/28 20/28 44/68 23/39
Top score 311* 159 311* 159
Balls bowled 54 – 393 16
Wickets 0 – 1 0
Bowling average – – 277.00 –
5 wickets in innings – – 0 –
10 wickets in match – n/a 0 n/a
Best bowling – – 1/10 –
Catches/stumpings 68/– 56/– 139/– 76/–
Source: CricketArchive, 7 March 2015

Hashim Mohammad Amla (born 31 March 1983) is a South African cricketer.[1] A right-handed batsman[2] and occasional medium-pace bowler, Amla bats at number three for South Africa in Test matches and number one for One Day Internationals (ODIs). In January 2011 Amla became the fastest cricketer to reach 2000 Runs in ODIs in his 40th ODI innings. He also became the fastest cricketer to score 20 ODI centuries. He is currently ranked by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the world's number three batsman in Test and ODIs.[3] Amla became the first South African to score a Test match triple century when he scored 311 not out against England in 2012. In the 57th innings of his ODI career, Amla became the fastest batsman to score 3,000 ODI runs, requiring 12 innings fewer than Sir Vivian Richards. Also on 8 December 2013, he became the fastest batsman to score 4,000 ODI runs, requiring 8 innings fewer than Richards. In his 57th match, Amla became the fastest cricketer to reach 10 centuries in ODIs. In 2013, Amla became the first batsman since Ricky Ponting to head both the Test and ODI rankings at the same time in the latest ICC charts. In 2014 he became the fastest cricketer to reach 15 centuries in ODIs in his 86th innings. In the same year he became the fastest cricketer to reach 16 centuries in ODIs in his 94th inning and fastest cricketer to 17 centuries in ODIs in his 98th innings. He scored 5 hundreds in ODIs in 2014. On 16 January 2015 against West Indies he became the fastest to reach 5000 runs in ODIs in his 101st innings. On 18 January 2015 he became the fastest cricketer to 18 centuries in ODIs in his 102nd inning. On 3 March 2015 he became the fastest cricketer to reach 20 centuries in ODIs in his 108th inning. He has scored ODI centuries against all test playing countries and only the fourth person to do so. He was named as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2013.[4]

Personal life

Amla at fielding practice, Adelaide Oval, January 2009

Born to a South African Muslim family, which has roots in Surat region of Gujarat, India.[1][5] Amla is a devout practising Muslim.[6] He was reared in a middle-class home and sent to a highly regarded cricketing and academic school, Durban HS, previously the alma mater of Lance Klusener and Barry Richards.

His elder brother, Ahmed Amla, was also a professional cricketer, having made his debut two years earlier than Hashim, and went on to captain the Dolphins.[7]

Early years and domestic career

Upon graduating from Durban High School and impressing on the youth circuit, Amla made his debut for his provincial team, the KwaZulu Natal Dolphins, soon captaining South Africa at the 2002 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, leading his team to the final.[1][6] During his formative years, former Western Province captain and coach Hylton Ackerman had been influential in Amla's development, first spotting his talent and honing his skills during his coaching career.[8] His promise led him to being appointed captain of KwaZulu-Natal at the young age of 21. Amla has been cited as a future captain of South Africa ever since his first class years.[6][9] Amla moved from the Dolphins to Cape Cobras in 2013.[10]

International career

Upon being appointed captain of the Dolphins, Amla began the 2004–2005 South African domestic season by scoring four centuries during his first eight innings.[1] His success at the domestic level and consistent performances for the South Africa A squad led to him being chosen for the winter 2004 tour of India at the age of 21, thereby becoming the first South African of Indian descent to represent South Africa in international cricket.[6][11]

Making his debut in Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on 28 November 2004, he initially made a slow start to his career, with his technique having been criticized after scoring 36 runs in the 2004 series against England.[1][6] After honing his technique and working on his skills with the Dolphins, for whom he regularly top-scored in the South African domestic circuit, he proved his critics wrong in 2006 as he scored a comeback 149 against New Zealand at Newlands, Cape Town, helping guide South Africa to a match-saving draw.[1][8] He subsequently continued this success, earning a national contract and scoring 1599 runs at an average of 57.10 in his next 19 Tests, solidifying his position as South Africa's number 3 batsman.[6][12][13] On 27 March 2008, he scored an unbeaten 159 against India in Chennai amidst searing conditions.[6] His success throughout the 2008 year, in which he scored 1012 runs, consisted of numerous centuries and solid performances against India, England and Australia.[1][8] During South Africa's 2009 tour of Australia, Amla helped South Africa win a historic Test and one day series victory over Australia, scoring 259 runs at an average of 51.80 during the Tests and contributing crucial scores in the one day series, including a match-winning 80 in the series clincher.[14][15]

In April 2009, Amla was signed by Essex as their overseas player for a portion of the 2009 English county season, as a short-term replacement for Danish Kaneria.[16][17] During his stay at the club, he scored two centuries in two Championship matches, including a match-saving 181 on his debut, the highest score by an Essex debutant, as well as 111 runs off 107 in his first Pro40 match, against Sussex.[18][19] Essex fans had warmed to him throughout his stay, affectionately calling him "W.G" in reference to W.G. Grace.[19]

During England's 2009–2010 tour of South Africa, Amla was an integral member of the side throughout the series, scoring a crucial century in the first Test at Centurion and contributing important innings during the rest of the series.[20][21] His performances also saw him move up the ICC Test Batting rankings.[22]

Top form (2010–present)

Amla started 2010 in February against India in a two-match test series against India in India. In the first test he scored 253* as South Africa reached 558. After this a superb bowling performance from Dale Steyn meant that India were bowled out for 233 with Steyn bagging seven wickets. India forced to follow-on were bowled out for 319 as South Africa won by an innings and six runs. In the second test match Amla made 114 before being caught by MS Dhoni. Despite Amla's century the remaining South African batting order could only manage 296. India batted and scored 643 with centuries from Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Ms Dhoni. The South African chase collapsed poorly but Amla still managed another century scoring 123* as South Africa were bowled out for 290 and crashed to an innings defeat. After this Amla toured the West Indies for 5 ODIs and three test matches. Amla top scored in the first ODI with 102 as South Africa coasted to a comfortable victory. He followed this up with 92 in the second ODI as South Africa again sealed a 17 run victory. In the third ODI, Amla scored 30, but in the fourth ODI he returned with a century by scoring 129 off 115 balls. He made 45 in the fifth and final ODI before he was run-out by Kieron Pollard as South Africa won narrowly by one wicket.

The three match test series was one where Amla performed consistently but didn't register any centuries, he top scored with 44. The first test was a poor one for Amla scoring 2 and 5 as South Africa still won comfortably. In the following test he scored 44 and 41 as the match was drawn, he scored 5 and 25 in the final test match as South Africa won by seven wickets.

In the three match ODI series against Zimbabwe, Amla scored 110 as South Africa gave Zimbabwe 351 to win and South Africa won the match by 64 runs. The second ODI saw Amla score 110 as South Africa cruised to an 8 wicket victory and sealed the three match series with one game to spare. Amla had a quiet final ODI scoring 24 as South Africa won by 264 runs.

Amla went into a five-match ODI series against Pakistan on the back of good form and in the first ODI managed 35 as South Africa won by 8 wickets. Amla scored a quickfire half century in the second ODI before being given leg-before to a Shahid Afridi leg-break, despite this good knock from Amla and 286 from South Africa, they couldn't win the match courtesy of a superb century by Abdul Razzaq scoring 109 of just 73 balls. In the third ODI Amla scored 119* as the rest of the South African order collapsed around him and the team only managed 228, however South Africa won the match by just two runs courtesy of some superb death bowling yorkers from Rusty Theron.

Following these excellent performances in the ODI format Amla was selected in the 12-man Twenty20 squad against India, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. He was selected in place of opener Loots Bosman. The most significant thing about the match before it started or ended was that it was the final match of Makhaya Ntini.[23] He is one of the greatest personality in modern cricketing world.

2012 tour of England

In the 1st Test at The Oval, he scored the highest ever test score by a South African and the country's first triple century.[24] He scored 311 not out in a man of the match performance, as South Africa defeated England by an-innings-and-12-run victory. He then scored his 16th Test century in the 2nd innings of the 3rd Test at Lords, as South Africa beat England by 51 runs to clinch the series by 2–0, and ascend to top of the ICC test rankings. He was South Africa's man of the series, and during the ODI series that followed he scored a career-best 150 (from 124 balls) in the 2nd match against England at Southampton.[25]

In Australia, 2012

In the 1st Test at The Gabba, Amla scored 104, and shared a 165 run 3rd wicket partnership with Jacques Kallis. Amla and Kallis are the most prolific partnership in South Africa's test match history. In the 3rd Test at the WACA, Amla scored 196 in the 2nd innings in a match-winning, series-clinching effort. Together with Graeme Smith, their 2nd wicket stand of 178 in 2 while his century came up in 87 balls.

2013

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".[26] In August 2013 it was announced that Amla had signed for Surrey, for whom he made a limited number of appearances in domestic matches.[27]

2014

In June 2014 Amla became South Africa's first permanent non-white Test captain (although Ashwell Prince had it temporarily), ahead of the Sri Lanka tour following Graeme Smith's retirement.[28] Amla captained his side to a historic victory against Sri Lanka in his first test series as captain.[29] He also continued to make domestic appearances for Surrey when other commitments allowed.[30]

2015

In January 2015, he was named the player of the series in a bilateral series against West Indies.

Dean Jones controversy

During a Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka on 7 August 2006, Australian TEN Sports commentator Dean Jones referred to Amla as a "terrorist" after he had taken a catch; after incorrectly assuming that broadcasting switched to a commercial break, he had said "The terrorist gets another wicket".[6] The broadcast was aired around the world, including South Africa, and he was subsequently widely condemned by South African fans, players and several former cricketers and commentators, leading to the channel terminating its contract with Jones.[6] After the incident Jones reportedly apologized to Amla, stating that his comments were never "supposed to be heard over the air", which he accepted.[6]

Achievements and milestones

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Peter Roebuck (29 January 2009). "The unbreakable South African". Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  2. ↑ "Hashim Amla: Statistics, Milestones, Articles, News, Pictures". Cricketfundas.com. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  3. ↑ Reliance ICC Player Rankings The Official Rankings for International Cricket
  4. ↑ "Kallis, Amla, Steyn among Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year". Wisden India. 10 April 2013.
  5. ↑ "Hashim Amla". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 2012-07-22.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 Donald McRae (8 July 2008). "After terrorist jibe, Amla is ready for bat to do talking". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  7. ↑ Veera, Sriram (17 May 2009). "The other Amla". Cricinfo. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Former coach happy with Amla's progress". Cricinfo. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  9. ↑ Thrasy Petropoulos (23 March 2003). "South Africa tap into Asian talent". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  10. ↑ South Africa Cricket News: Hashim Amla moves to Cape Cobras | ESPN Cricinfo
  11. ↑ Telford Vice (27 October 2004). "Joy and gloom as selectors turn the page". Cricinfo.
  12. ↑ S Rajesh (9 January 2009). "New-look Amla breaks South Africa's No. 3 jinx". Cricinfo.
  13. ↑ "Amla and Steyn earn national contracts". Cricinfo. 28 February 2007. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  14. ↑ "Amla and de Villiers race to series win". Cricinfo. 26 January 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  15. ↑ Daniel Brettig (30 January 2009). "Australia v South Africa 2008–2009". Wisden.
  16. ↑ "Essex sign Amla as cover for Kaneria". Cricinfo. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  17. ↑ "Essex sign Amla as Kaneria cover". BBC News. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  18. ↑ Jason Humphries (20 July 2009). "Amla makes impact at Essex". Supersport. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "ESSEX: Amla is a hit with supporters". This is Total Essex. 6 July 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  20. ↑ Andrew McGlashan (19 December 2009). "South Africa benefit from Amla's cultural blend". Cricinfo. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  21. ↑ "Morkel's emergence biggest gain". Cricinfo. 18 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  22. ↑ "Career-best rankings for Smith and Morkel". Cricinfo. 16 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
  23. ↑ "South Africa v India: Hashim Amla recalled to Twenty20 squad | Cricket News | South Africa v India". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  24. ↑ "England v South Africa: Hashim Amla now 'an awesome batsman'". 22 July 2012.
  25. ↑ "England v South Africa 2nd ODI: Live". 28 August 2012.
  26. ↑ "Amla goes cold on vice-captaincy". Retrieved 2013-02-11.
  27. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cricket/23699149
  28. ↑ "Amla named South Africa Test captain". Retrieved 2014-06-03.
  29. ↑ SRIVASTAVA, ABHAYA (28 July 2014). "Amla leads Proteas to historic Test series win in Sri Lanka". Mail & Guardian (Web). Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  30. ↑ http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2014/engine/match/692931.html
  31. ↑ Rajesh, S. "A splendid year for England and Amla". 2010 in Review. ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  32. ↑ "ICC Cricket World Cup, 24th Match, Ireland v South Africa". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2015-03-03.

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