Hashim Amla Great Contribution For Team and His International Career Status

Hashim Amla's Playing Style and Currently Ranked No.1 Test Batsman In The World-

Hashim Amla

Personal information
Full name	Hashim Mahomed Amla
Born	31 March 1983 (age 27)(1983-03-31) Durban, Natal, South Africa
Nickname	Hash
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Batting style	Right-handed
Bowling style	Right–arm medium
Role	Batsman
Relations	Ahmed Amla (brother)
International information
National side	South Africa
Test debut	28 November 2004 v India
Last Test	16 December 2010 v India
ODI debut	9 March 2008 v Bangladesh
Last ODI	8 November 2010 v Pakistan
ODI shirt no.	1
T20I debut	13 January 2009 v Australia
Last T20I	27 March 2009 v Australia
T20I shirt no.	1
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1999—current	KwaZulu Natal Dolphins (squad no. 1)
2009	Essex
Career statistics
Competition	Tests	ODIs	FC	LA
Matches	49	37	121	70
Runs scored	3,787	1906	8,594	2,253
Batting average	46.75	59.56	47.11	35.20
100s/50s	12/18	6/10	25/43	4/14
Top score	253*	140	249	140
Balls bowled	42	–	309	16
Wickets	0	–	1	0
Bowling average	–	–	221.00	–
5 wickets in innings	0	–	0	0
10 wickets in match	0	–	0	n/a
Best bowling	0/4	–	1/10	0/4
Catches/stumpings	45/–	16/–	97/–	29/–
19 January 2010

Hashim Mahomed Amla (born 31 March 1983 in Durban, Natal) is a South African cricketer. A right-handed upper order batsman and occasional medium-pace bowler, Amla bats at number 3 for South Africa in Test matches and has opened in limited overs contests.

Career-

Early years-

Upon graduating from Durban High School and impressing in 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. 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. 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.

International career-

Upon being appointed captain of the Dolphins, Amla began the 2004-05 South African domestic season by scoring four centuries during his first eight innings. 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.

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. 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. 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.

On 27 March 2008, he scored an unbeaten 159 against India in Chennai amidst searing conditions. His success throughout the 2008 year, in which he scored 1012 runs, consisted of numerous centuries and solid performances against India, England and Australia. 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.

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. 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. Essex fans had warmed to him throughout his stay, affectionately calling him "W.G" in reference to W.G. Grace.

During England's 2009-10 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. His performances also saw him move up the ICC Test Batting rankings.

Unbeaten centuries by Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla put South Africa totally in control against the inconsistent India attack on the second day of the first Test today.

Amla was on 116 not out and Kallis 102 not out as South Africa closed on 366 for two, a lead of 230. Kallis breezed to his 38th – and fastest – Test century off 130 balls and looked entirely on top of his game. He has hit nine fours and three sixes.

Amla, who passed 1,000 runs against India in his 10th Test against the world's No1 team, survived a number of scares to score his 12th Test century and sixth this year. He and Kallis have added 200 for the third wicket to all but kill off India's chances of victory.

Morne Morkel dismissed MS Dhoni with the third ball of the morning without India adding to their overnight 136 for nine. That gave the fast bowler a Test-best five for 20 and the visitors needed something similar from their seamers.

But Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, the debutant Jaidev Unadkat and Ishant Sharma failed to extract any life from the surface and all conceded more than three runs per over.

India's best hope of wickets seem to lie with the off-spinner Harbhajan Singh but his two wickets in 25 overs have cost 107 runs and Amla and Kallis were able to bat in unflustered calm as they revived memories of their match-winning stand of 340 against India in Nagpur in February.

South Africa's openers, Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen, started the innings in untroubled fashion. Smith was out, caught behind by Dhoni, for 62 from 82 balls after a rapid partnership of 111 from 26.3 overs.

Petersen hit nine fours and a six in his 77 before he tried to tickle a quicker delivery from Harbhajan and was caught at short leg with the score on 166.

South Africa would claim the No1 ranking from India if they win all the Tests in the three-match series.

South African skipper Graeme Smith and in-form batsman Hashim Amla have been cleared to play in the first Test of the three-match series against India starting on Thursday in Centurion.

“Graeme’s hand is good. Doctors have cleared him and he’s ready to go. He’s confident and looking forward to this week’s preparation. We just hope that we can get out there and prepare,” said coach Corrie van Zyl. “Hashim seems to be fine and started his preparations last week,” van Zyl was quoted as saying by Times Live.

Injuries to both the players during last month’s series against Pakistan in UAE cast doubts over their participation in the clash against the world number one side.

While the ring finger on Smith’s left hand was broken in the first ODI against Pakistan, Amla was struck on the left wrist while fielding in the last day of the second Test against the same opponents.

by-The Guardian 

Dean Jones controversy-

During a Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka on August 7, 2006, Ten Sports commentator Dean Jones referred to Amla as a "terrorist" after he had taken a catch; after incorrectly assuming that broadcasters had switched to a commercial break, he had said "The terrorist gets another wicket". 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. After the incident Jones reportedly apologized to Amla, stating that his comments were never "supposed to be heard over the air", which he accepted.

Personal life-

Born to a South African Muslim family, Amla's grandparents are originally from Surat, Gujarat, having emigrated to South Africa numerous years earlier. His elder brother, Ahmed, is also a professional cricketer, having made his debut two years earlier, and currently captains the Dolphins. Upon his Test debut, he successfully requested that alcohol-promoting logos not be shown on his merchandise and playing gear.

Amla at fielding practice, Adelaide Oval, January 2009

International Centuries-

Test Cricket Centuries-

• In the column Runs, * indicates being not out
• The column title Match refers to the Match Number of the player's career

Test Cricket Centuries of Hashim Amla

	Runs	Match	Against	City/Country	Venue	Year
[1]	149	4	New Zealand	Cape Town, South Africa	Newlands Cricket Ground	2006
[2]	176*	16	New Zealand	Johannesburg, South Africa	Wanderers Stadium	2007
[3]	103	17	New Zealand	Centurion, New Zealand	SuperSport Park	2007
[4]	159	23	India	Chennai, India	MA Chidambaram Stadium	2008
[5]	104*	26	England	London, England	Lord's Cricket Ground	2008
[6]	112	30	Bangladesh	Bloemfontein, South Africa	Springbok Park	2008
[7]	100	38	England	Centurion, South Africa	SuperSport Park	2009
[8]	253*	44	India	Nagpur, India	VCA Stadium	2010
[9]	114	45	India	Kolkata, India	Eden Gardens	2010
[10]	123*
[11]	118*	47	Pakistan	Dubai, United Arab Emirates	Dubai International Cricket Stadium	2010
[12]	140	48	India	Centurion, South Africa	SuperSport Park	2010

ODI Cricket Centuries-

• In the column Runs, * indicates being not out
• The column title Match refers to the Match Number of the player's career

One-Day International Centuries of Hashim Amla

	Runs	Match	Against	City/Country	Venue	Year
1	140	4	Bangladesh	Benoni, South Africa	Willowmoore Park	2008
2	102	16	West Indies	North Sound, Antigua	Sir Viv Richards Stadium	2010
3	129	17	West Indies	Roseau, Dominica	Windsor Park	2010
4	110	29	Zimbabwe	Bloemfontein, South Africa	Springbok Park	2010
5	110	30	Zimbabwe	Potchefstroom, South Africa	Senwes Park	2010
6	119*	35	Pakistan	Dubai, United Arab Emirates	Dubai International Cricket Stadium	2010

  

Amla named in SA T20 squad for India-

 source-Hindustan times

Test regular Hashim Amla was on Wednesday included in the South African squad for the one-off Twenty20 international against India to be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on January 9, 2011. Amla, who will make only his third appearance in the shortest format of the game, has been named in place of Loots Bosman from the squad that won their last T20 series 2-0 against Pakistan.

And while all-rounder Jacques Kallis and pacers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel have been rested for the match, retired pace bowler Makhaya Ntini, who announced his retirement last month, is all set to make his final international appearance for the Proteas.

When Ntini retired from international cricket after playing 101 Tests and 173 One-day Internationals, Cricket South Africa (CSA) had said that he would be given a farewell game.

"We have decided to rest Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel because of the heavy workload they have had in the Castle Test series and the important roles they will have to play in the MTN ODI series against India as well as in the ICC Cricket World Cup," commented convener of selectors Andrew Hudson.

Interestingly, the Protean T20 squad has regular skipper Graeme Smith but he would not be leading the side during the one-off T20 match. Johan Botha has been named the captain in his place.

The match will be the inaugural match for the Krish Mackerdhuj Trophy and will also commemorate the first arrival of Indians in South Africa 150 years ago.

The squad: Johan Botha (capt), Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Colin Ingram, David Miller, Makhaya Ntini, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Graeme Smith, Rusty Theron, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

How many of you have played Tetris, the computer game in which you need to position endless falling blocks onto a straight line? Those of you who have will know that as the levels rise, the speed at which the blocks fall increases. This continues until either the blocks fall so fast that you can’t keep up with the speed, or until your fingers get tired when the block speed reaches its peak and you’re able to keep up. Well, Amla played almost a whole year of Tetris in this series against India, all at level 3 or 4 (the faster levels are around 9+). He blocked, and he blocked, and he blocked, and then when a bad ball was bowled, he cashed in. Harbhajan was dismantled, Mishra made to look ineffective and the pace bowlers treated with the respect they deserved, which usually meant leaving the ball well alone or gorgeous cover drives and flicks to midwicket.

Most people would go crazy blocking that many deliveries.

The repetitive resonance of ball hitting bat would hypnotize those of lower mental strength until finally unable to take it any longer they would run around like madmen waiting for someone to run them out, because there’s just no way the bowlers are going to dismiss them. Not Hashim Amla. 1033 deliveries later he had scored 490 runs, including 52 fours and a six. To average 490 in a series (a record for the most runs by a South African* in a two test series, bettering the previous record by compatriot Jacques Kallis) says it all, but this isn’t the first time Amla has done well against India. In Chennai two years ago he scored 159 and 81, but that almost went unnoticed after Virender Sehwag’s brilliant triple century helped India draw the game.

Amla has now played 6 matches against India in the subcontinent* where he has an astounding average of 102.87 (overall average against India is 65+), with four centuries and one fifty. His overall test average has leapt to 47.26 from 40.75 before this series. Naturally this will invite scorn from many (especially those who dismissed him as an ordinary player unable to play good seam bowling after his first series in England) who will say he is a bully on subcontinent tracks, but a closer look at his numbers would leave them looking silly since he hasn’t been as prolific in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He has a very respectable average of 51.8 in Australia and 45.83 in England.

After batting 23 hours and 22 minutes in this series, offering just four chances (only one of which was accepted), Amla has now surely established himself as one of South Africa’s best batsmen in what is already an extremely talented lineup. To concentrate against top quality spin bowling over after over for days on end would drain most. This series Amla faced 170.2 overs, over 300 balls twice in an innings and scored a century every time he went out to bat. I can’t remember the last time India were so utterly dominated by a visiting batsman.

They were clueless and almost desperate, eventually conceding as early as Duminy’s arrival on the final day, that dismissing Amla would be an exercise in futility and decided instead to focus on the other batsmen. Today India might have won a thrilling match to level the series and retain their coveted number one ranking in test cricket, today Hashim may have been heartbroken that his teammates couldn’t hold on for another 15 minutes, but most importantly today Hashim Amla won the hearts of millions of Indian (and world) cricket fans who were probably extremely frustrated at the mere sight of him until the game was won.

 

Top form (2010)-

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 centuryies from Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman.

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 ODI's 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 against sealed 17 run victory, in the third ODI Amla scored 30, but in the fourth ODI he returned with a century in scoring 129 of 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 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 the 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, 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

From Wikipedia-