Birthday special: Hashim Amla – Five most memorable knocks by the Protea legend
Hashim Amla is one of the greatest batsmen produced by South Africa since their re-admission. The right-hander had a batting style that was compact, and when he got going, he could make the opposition toil and wilt. Amla is the second-highest run-scorer for the Proteas in Tests and amassed 9282 runs at an excellent average of 46.41. Amla has also accumulated glittering numbers in ODI cricket. The batting legend has scored 8113 runs in the ODI format and has scored his runs at a colossal average of 49.47. With Amla turning 40 on 31st March 2023, let us take a look at the 5 best knocks of Amla’s international career.
5) 208 vs West Indies (Tests)
In December 2014, Hashim Amla’s magical 371-ball 208 allowed his side to wallop the visiting West Indies side by an innings and 220 runs. Batting first, the Proteas piled up a massive total of 552 runs on the board. And, the catalyst of the innings was Amla, who scored a splendid double century. Apart from Amla, the likes of Ab De Villiers and Stiaan Van Zyl scored centuries as well.
In reply, the West Indies were shot out for just 201. Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel scalped 7 wickets between them and none of the visitors’ batsmen could even score a half-century. The West Indian outfit was asked to follow on, and their second innings performance turned out to be even worse than the first essay. The West Indies could muster just 131 in the second innings, as South Africa inflicted a crushing innings defeat on their opponents. And, Hashim Amla was awarded the Player of the Match award for his effervescent innings.
4) 153* vs West Indies (ODIs)
Let us now travel to the Wanderers Stadium to relive a master class from the willow of Hashim Amla. And once again, the opponents who were at the receiving end were the West Indies. The only difference was, instead of whites, Amla wore coloured clothing.
West Indies won the toss and opted to field. And, the likes of Rilee Rossouw, Hashim Amla and Ab De Villiers absolutely destroyed the West Indian bowling attack, with all three of them scoring centuries. Amla was at his best. Opening the batting for his side, the right-hander batted through the entire 50 overs, and scored an unbeaten 153*, as South Africa piled up a total of 439 in 50 overs. The West Indian side could only manage to score 291 and was crushed by 148 runs by a spirited South African outfit.
3) 154 vs Sri Lanka (ODIs)
At the SuperSport Park in Centurion, Hashim Amla’s resplendent knock helped his side to beat Sri Lanka by 88 runs. The South African side wielded the willow first and amassed a gargantuan total of 384 runs on the board. And, the two stalwarts for the Proteas were Quinton De Kock and Hashim Amla. The duo put on a scintillating 187-run opening stand to bat Sri Lanka out of the match. While De Kock scored 109, Amla blasted a 134-ball 154 as South Africa scored a mammoth total of 384.
In reply, even though Asela Gunaratne scored an unbeaten 114, Sri Lanka could only muster a total of 296 on the board. For South Africa, Chris Morris scalped 4 wickets, giving away only 31 runs in his 10 overs, as South Africa cantered home with ease.
2) 253* vs India (Tests)
In February 2010, Hashim Amla frustrated the Indian bowlers with the willow. South Africa won the toss and batted first. And, the South African innings was all about Hashim Amla and the patience that he exhibited out in the middle.
In a 473-ball vigil at the crease, Amla carved out an unbeaten 253, as South Africa piled up a total of 558 runs on the board. In reply, even though Virender Sehwag scored a whirlwind 109, the Indian side was bowled out for a total of just 233. And, the MS Dhoni-led side was asked to follow on. In the second innings, Sachin Tendulkar scored a 179 ball 100, but it was not enough to prevent a defeat, and India went down to the Proteas by an innings and 6 runs.
1) 311* vs England (Tests)
In July 2012, the South African batting line up dished out a hammering that will haunt the England bowlers who featured in the match for a long time. After winning the toss and batting first, England scored 385, with the legendary Alastair Cook scoring 115. In reply, the South African willow wielders were ruthless. While Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis scored 131 and 182* respectively, it was Hashim Amla who was the wrecker-in-chief.
The right-hander scored a 529 ball 311*, to power South Africa to a total of 637/2. In the second innings, the England batsmen failed miserably. The Andrew Strauss led side could only manage to score 240. Dale Steyn destroyed the England batting line up and scalped 5 wickets in the second essay, as the Proteas romped home by an innings and 12 runs.
