Saeed Ajmal Frequently Uses The Doosra Which Turns The Other Way and He Generally Bowls Flatter Than Most Off Spinners-
Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal
dominated the first ever annual awards held by the Pakistan cricket
board, scooping up four awards, while T20 captain Mohammad Hafeez won
the PCB cricketer of the year award.
Saeed, who had a successful
tour of India recently, won the PCB best bowler awards for all three
formats of the game but missed out on the prestigious cricketer of the
year award.
He, however, won a special prize for best bowler of the year from the PCB carrying a cash prize of 1.5 million rupees.
Pakistan started 2012 with a three Test series against England in the United Arab Emirates. Ajmal was named the man of the match for the first Test in Dubai, with match figures of 10 wickets for 97 runs and a career best 7/55 in England's first innings. In the second fixture he dismissed Matt Prior to become the fastest Pakistani bowler to reach 100 wickets in Tests, taking 19 matches to accomplish the feat.
The series concluded with Pakistan completing a 3-0 whitewash over
England, and Ajmal was named man of the series after claiming 24 wickets
at an average of 14.70.
Saeed Ajmal سعید اجمل
Personal information
Full name
Saeed Ajmal
Born
14 October 1977 (age 35) Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
Nickname
Saeed Bhai
Batting style
Right-handed
Bowling style
Right-arm off break
Role
Bowler
International information
National side
Pakistan
Test debut (cap 195)
4 July 2009 v Sri Lanka
Last Test
3 February 2012 v England
ODI debut (cap 171)
2 July 2008 v India
Last ODI
6 January 2013 against India {{{lastodiyear}}} v India
Domestic team information
Years
Team
2009–present
Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd
1996–present
Faisalabad
2000–07
Khan Research Laboratories
2001–02
Islamabad
2011
Worcestershire
2012
Dhaka Gladiators
2012–present
Adelaide Strikers
2013
Barisal Burners
2005-Present
Faisalabad Wolves
2013-present
Hampshire
Career statistics
Competition
Test
ODI
T20I
FC
Matches
23
74
48
112
Runs scored
250
211
63
1,250
Batting average
10.86
8.79
9.00
12.05
100s/50s
/1
0/0
0/0
0/3
Top score
50
33
21*
53
Balls bowled
7,481
3,668
1,068
24,854
Wickets
122
117
69
423
Bowling average
27.09
23.27
15.82
26.71
5 wickets in innings
6
2
n/a
27
10 wickets in match
2
n/a
n/a
3
Best bowling
7/55
5/24
4/19
7/55
Catches/stumpings
8/–
12/–
6/–
36/–
Source: ESPNCricinfo, 15 September 2012
Saeed Ajmal (Punjabi, Urdu: سعید اجمل; born 14 October 1977) is a Pakistani cricketer. He is a right-arm off-spin bowler who bats right handed. With his effective doosra and other varieties he is also considered as the best spinner in modern world cricket.
Since November 2011, Ajmal has been ranked by the International Cricket Council
as the number one bowler in ODIs. He is also ranked number one among
bowlers in T20, while his current ICC test bowler ranking is number 3.
On 28 January 2012, in his 20th Test, Ajmal became the quickest Pakistani to take 100 test wickets. Saeed Ajmal also holds the record for taking maximum wickets(69) in Twenty20 International cricket.
Ajmal was signed by Adelaide Strikers as cover for Keiron Pollard,
the West Indies allrounder, for 2012-13 edition of the Big Bash League
in Australia.
After the controversy and upheaval of 2010, 2011 saw Pakistan become a more consistent team. The year began with the World Cup held between February and April. Pakistan progressed to the semi-final, where they were defeated by India; playing in three of the team's matches, Ajmal took five wickets at an average of 18.60.
After the World Cup, Pakistan played ten Tests, winning six andlosing a single match; this saw the team win series against Bangladesh, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe and draw with the West Indies. Ajmal finished the year with 50 wickets from 8 Tests.
Bowling style-
A right-arm off spinner, Ajmal's stock delivery turns into right-handed batsman but he also frequently uses the doosra which turns the other way,
and he generally bowls flatter than most off spinners. The doosra has
been an effective tool for Ajmal as batsmen have often failed to pick
it.
Explaining his bowling style in 2012, Ajmal said "If I bowl with
flight I cannot bowl well. If I bowl at a quicker speed I can then use
variations in pace. If I take 70% of my wickets with the doosra why
should I not bowl it? Whether you bowl a doosra or an offbreak, the ball
should be bowled on the right line and one should take a wicket with
it."
Offspinner Saeed Ajmal swept four trophies in the Pakistan Cricket Board's first ever awards ceremony on Saturday, 12 January 2013.
Ajmal, who missed out on the International Cricket Council's awards last
year, was judged best bowler in tests, one-day internationals and
Twenty20s. He also received a special prize for the best bowler of 2012.
Ajmal said on Saturday, "it is out of this world" for him to be named as the best "from such a special group."
Pakistan
ODI captain Mohammad Hafeez was named player of the year; Azhar Ali
picked as test player of the year and left-handed opening batsman Nasir
Jamshed was chosen best ODI batsman.
Graeme Swann Is An Ashes Glory Boys and His Great Contribution For Team-
Graeme Swann
Personal information
Full name
Graeme Peter Swann
Born
24 March 1979 (age 31)(1979-03-24) Northampton, Northamptonshire, England
Nickname
Chin, Swanny, Swannatron
Height
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Batting style
Right-hand batsman
Bowling style
Right-arm off break
Role
Spin bowler
Relations
Raymond Swann (father), Alec Swann (brother)
International information
National side
England
Test debut (cap 641)
11 December 2008 v India
Last Test
19 December 2010 v Australia
ODI debut (cap 157)
23 January 2000 v South Africa
Last ODI
22 September 2010 v Pakistan
ODI shirt no.
66 (previously 24)
Domestic team information
Years
Team
2005–present
Nottinghamshire (squad no. 6)
1998–2004
Northamptonshire
Career statistics
Competition
Test
ODI
FC
LA
Matches
27
43
205
230
Runs scored
683
295
6,832
2,945
Batting average
23.55
12.82
26.48
19.00
100s/50s
–/4
–/–
4/35
–/14
Top score
85
34
183
83
Balls bowled
6,993
1,902
36,639
9,132
Wickets
124
59
573
259
Bowling average
27.62
24.33
31.87
25.94
5 wickets in innings
10
1
25
3
10 wickets in match
1
–
4
–
Best bowling
6/65
5/28
7/33
5/17
Catches/stumpings
24/–
19/–
154/–
78/–
Source: Cricinfo, 28 December 2010
Graeme Peter Swann (born 24 March 1979 in Northampton) is an English international cricketer. He is primarily a right-arm offspinner, but also bats right-handed. After initially playing for his home county Northamptonshire, for whom he made his debut in 1997, he moved to Nottinghamshire in 2005. He often fields at slip. He attended Sponne School in Towcester, Northamptonshire.
Swann played a single One Day International against South Africa in 2000, before losing his place in the squad. In 2007, Swann was chosen to accompany England on its tour of Sri Lanka as the team's second spin bowler, alongside Monty Panesar, and subsequently cemented a regular place in England's Test team, playing throughout England's 2–1 victory in the 2009 Ashes. In December 2009, he became the first English spinner to take 50 wickets in a calendar year, culminating in back-to-back man of the match awards in the first two Tests of the South Africa tour and third place in the world rankings for bowlers.
In March 2010, Swann became the first English off-spinner since Jim Laker to take 10 wickets in a match, when he achieved the feat in England's victory in the first test in Bangladesh. In May, he was named ECB Cricketer of the Year.
Test debut-
Following a loss of form to Monty Panesar, alongside whom Swann had played for Northamptonshire, Swann made his Test debut against India in December 2008, and made an immediate impact, dismissing Gautam Gambhir with his third delivery and Rahul Dravid with his sixth, both lbw, thus becoming only the second player in Test history after Richard Johnson (also for England) to take two wickets in his first Test over.
In the Third Test in the West Indies in 2009, he was brought back into the Test fold following the poor form of Panesar, and in this match collected his first five-wicket haul in a Test, 5 for 57 in the West Indies' first innings, including two wickets in two balls. This was the second-best performance ever by any spinner in Antigua. Swann also collected five wickets in the first of the West Indian innings in the Fourth Test.
In addition to a score of 63 not out batting at 9, he took six more wickets in the first home Test of 2009, again against the West Indies, at Lord's. This included three for sixteen in five overs in the first innings, removing Devon Smith, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brendon Nash.
At the end of the one-day series against the same opposition, the England players were permitted to rejoin their counties in the build-up to the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 tournament. The transition, Swann wrote, was a comfortable one: with less media scrutiny and a relatively uncongested agenda, as well as the lower intensity of the cricket, he had himself some "great fun".
Swann gave a good account of himself in the World Twenty20, bowling tidily for his five wickets "while showing the passion for playing for his country that," according to journalist Nick Hoult, "endears him to England supporters."
The Ashes (2009)-
Swann had done enough in the year preceding the 2009 Ashes to be considered England's premier spinner, overtaking Panesar. The pertinent question was not whether Swann would play, but which of Panesar and Adil Rashid, the other two spinners in the England squad, would play with him. He went on to play in all five matches of the series. Panesar was selected for the first Test, but his bowling did not impress and he was dropped for the remainder of the series, leaving Swann as England's only slow bowler.
In the first Test at Sophia Gardens, Swann hit a first-innings 47 not out from 40 balls. His bowling was anodyne, failing to pick up a wicket in 38 overs in Australia's only innings, in which they amassed 674 for 6 declared with four centurions, but his second-innings 31 helped England salvage a draw, as Australia were unable to take the final English wicket with Panesar and James Anderson at the crease.
At Lord's, Swann was part of England's first-innings slide from 302 for 3 (Andrew Strauss 161) to 425 all out, and was only required to bowl one over in Australia's first innings, as England's seamers combined to bowl Australia out for 215. However, in Australia's second innings, after Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin had briefly made a mammoth 522-run target seem attainable, Swann combined with Andrew Flintoff (5 for 92) to bowl Australia out, taking the key wicket of Michael Clarke bowled for 136. Swann took the final wicket of Mitchell Johnson, bowled for 63, to finish with second-innings figures of 4 for 87 and complete England's first victory against Australia at Lord's since 1934.
At Edgbaston, Swann was only required to bowl two first-innings overs, but nonethess made England's first breakthrough, trapping Simon Katich lbw to end an 85-run opening partnership. With the bat he contributed 24 from 20 balls as England's lower-middle order powered the side to a 113-run first-innings lead, and with England pursuing victory he clean bowled Ricky Ponting with a sharply turning offbreak, but on the final day his bowling was anodyne, failing to take another wicket as Australia drew the match with ease, losing only three wickets on the final day.
At Headingley Swann made a duck in England's first-innings collapse to 102 all out, and failed to take a wicket in Australia's total of 445. In the second innings he hit a defiant 62 but could not stave off an innings defeat.
England therefore progressed to the Oval with the series level at 1–1 and with a victory required to regain the Ashes. Swann took 4 for 38, combining with Stuart Broad (5 for 37) to bowl Australia out for 160. He hit a 55-ball 63 in England's second innings, sharing a 13-over partnership of 90 with debutant Jonathan Trott (119).
On the final day of the series Swann made England's first breakthrough in the fourth over of the day, trapping Simon Katich lbw. He claimed figures of 4 for 120, taking his tally of wickets to eight in the match, including the final wicket, Mike Hussey caught at short leg by Alastair Cook for 121, to clinch the Ashes series. He finished the series with an aggregate of 249 runs (fourth in England's list) at an average of 35.57, and 14 wickets (second among England's bowlers only to Stuart Broad).
In the 7th ODI in England's one-day series against Australia Swann took 5 for 28, helping dismiss Australia for 176. This was Swann's first five wicket haul in ODIs. England won the match by 4 wickets, with Swann named man of the match.
Career-
Early years-
Swann bowling for Nottinghamshire against Leicestershire in 2007
Swann began his domestic career for Northamptonshire. Against Leicestershire in 1998 he scored 92 and 111, his maiden first-class half-century and century. Touring South Africa and Zimbabwe with the England A-team that winter, Swann took 21 wickets at 25.61 and averaged 22 with the bat. Wisden commented,
Swann did spin the ball appreciably and emerged as a definite candidate for elevation. He had the potential to become a genuine allrounder, with a wide range of attractive strokes, though he needs to use them more selectively.
In 1999, Swann was brought into the England squad for the final Test against New Zealand. He did not play, but featured in an ODI against South Africa following an injury to Ashley Giles. This tour also saw him miss the team bus once due to oversleeping.
In domestic cricket, Swann scored his highest first-class score of 183 in 2002, sharing a partnership of 318 with Northants captain Mike Hussey (310 not out).
He moved to Nottinghamshire in 2005, and finished the season of 2007 with 516 runs and 45 wickets, leading to his recall to the England side against Sri Lanka. While England fell heavily in defeat during the first match, Swann hit 34 to help seal victory in the second, and took four for 34 and hit 25 in the third as England took a two-one lead in the series.
An unsuccessful tour of New Zealand followed, and Swann was unable consistently to occupy a place in the England ODI side. He remained in the squad but faced tough competition from Samit Patel, who had already taken his first ODI five-wicket haul, against South Africa in his third match.
Personal life-
Swann married his wife Sarah on 29 January 2010. They live in Nottingham with their two cats, Max and Paddy. He also has an interest in football and revealed on the BBC's Football Focus that he supports Newcastle United and Blyth Spartans. Their first child, a boy, is due in February 2011.
He is the lead singer of the rock band Dr Comfort and the Lurid Revelations which plays cover songs in gigs around Nottinghamshire.
On 2 April 2010 he was stopped by police in West Bridgford, Nottingham following a party and was arrested after providing a positive breath test. He was charged in June, to appear in court in August, and initially told court that he was on his way to purchase screwdrivers in order to rescue his cat from under the floorboards.
Statistics-
Test 5-Wicket Hauls-
The column title Match refers to the Match Number of his career.
Graeme Swann's Test 5-Wicket Hauls
#
Figures
Match
Against
City/Country
Venue
Year
Result
[1]
5/57
3
West Indies
St John's, Antigua
Antigua Recreation Ground
2009
Drawn
[2]
5/165
4
West Indies
Bridgetown, Barbados
Kensington Oval
2009
Drawn
[3]
5/110
13
South Africa
Centurion, South Africa
SuperSport Park
2009
Drawn
[4]
5/54
14
South Africa
Durban, South Africa
Kingsmead
2009
Won
[5]
5/90
17
Bangladesh
Chittagong, Bangladesh
Chittagong Divisional Stadium
2010
Won
[6]
5/127
17
Bangladesh
Chittagong, Bangladesh
Chittagong Divisional Stadium
2010
Won
[7]
5/76
20
Bangladesh
Manchester, England
Old Trafford Cricket Ground
2010
Won
[8]
6/65
22
Pakistan
Birmingham, England
Edgbaston Cricket Ground
2010
Won
[9]
5/62
24
Pakistan
London, England
Lords Cricket Ground
2010
Won
[10]
5/91
26
Australia
Adelaide, Australia
Adelaide Oval
2010
Won
Test 10-Wicket Match Hauls-
The column title Match refers to the Match Number of his career.
Graeme Swann's Test 10-Wicket Match Hauls
#
Figures
Match
Against
City/Country
Venue
Year
Result
[1]
10/217
17
Bangladesh
Chittagong, Bangladesh
Chittagong Divisional Stadium
2010
Won
One Day International 5-Wicket Hauls-
Graeme Swann's One Day International 5-Wicket Hauls
#
Figures
Match
Against
City/Country
Venue
Year
Result
[1]
5/28
23
Australia
Chester-le-Street, England
Riverside Ground
2009
Won
South Africa (2009/10):
At Centurion Swann was named man of the match following his impressive 5/110 and 85 runs in the first innings as England drew the first test.
At Durban Swann was again named man of the match after he finished with match figures of 9/164 as well as hitting a quick-fire 22 in England's first innings as they wrapped up a victory by an innings and 98 runs. This performance meant that Swann finished his first full year of Test cricket ranked third in the world bowling rankings, behind Dale Steyn and Mitchell Johnson.
Swann received a tied man of the series award along with Mark Boucher.
Bangladesh (2010):
Graeme Swann was named in the squad for the England tour of Bangladesh. He started of the tour by being named in three of the One Day Internationals in which he took figures of 3/32, 2/52 and 2/38. Then he was named in the squad for the first Test match in which he took match figures of 10/217 in both innings.
2010 ICC World Twenty20-
What has struck me most is that as an offspinner there are only certain ways you can get people out. But he [Swann] has more than that, he really changes his pace well. Normally when spinners bowl faster they lose their spin. But he can bowl quicker deliveries and still turn it. It is a very good gift and he can adapt it to all forms of the game. He is always trying to work out in his mind how to get wickets. That is what I like about him - he attacks.
– Shane Warne describing Swann as the "most improved cricketer in the world".
Swann was selected in England's 15 man squad for the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies. During the tournament, Swann played in all of England's fixtures, including the final against Australia, where he dismissed Australia captain Michael Clarke for 27 on his way to figures of 1/17 from his 4 overs. In the field he alertly caught Shane Watson in the slips after wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter parried the ball toward Swann. Swann's performances won widespread applause for his ability to adapt to the different forms of the game and to retain control over his bowling. In May, he was named ECB Cricketer of the Year. The ECB declared his international career to be a "remarkable 12 months in which his attacking offspin and hard-hitting lower-order batting have proved instrumental in one of the most successful years that the England cricket team has ever known." Swann finished the tournament with 10 wickets at an average of 14.40, with best figures of 3/24 against South Africa in the super eights.
Pakistan (2010):
Pakistan toured England in August and September. Swann was ever-present in the four match Test series which England won 3-1, although he was only needed to bowl two overs in the first Test as the seamers bowled Pakistan out for 182 and 80. Swann also was not required in the first innings of the second Test at Edgbaston, before taking Test-best figures of 6-65 in the second innings as England took a 2-0 series lead.
At The Oval, Pakistan won by 4 wickets, though Swann did take match figures of 7-118. In a remarkable Test at Lord's, England won by an innings and 225 runs victory, despite being 102-7 in their innings, with Swann taking 4-12 and 5-62. The latter achievement saw his name go on the Lord's honours board for the first time, however the match was overshadowed by newspaper allegations of Pakistan players being involved in spot-fixing.
Bowling style-
Swann is noted for being an attacking spinner, generally delivering the ball with plenty of flight and bounce. He is also capable of subtle changes of pace. Unlike many contemporary off-spinners he does not frequently bowl the doosra. Instead, his variations include a well-developed arm ball, and also a flatspinner delivery that he has nicknamed his "flying saucer ball" that rotates around its horizontal axis and generally bounces straight on.
FOR Kevin Pietersen, it was his greatest day. For Paul Collingwood, it was sweet revenge. And for Graeme Swann, it was the launch pad for a huge party.
The emotions tumbled out of England’s players on the outfield of the MCG after their crushing victory in the fourth Test. They will be the first England team in 24 years to return home with the urn whatever happens in the last Test in Sydney next week.
Swann said: “Everyone will tell me to keep my feet on the ground, but mine are going to be about 15 feet in the air for the next 48 hours and I don’t care what anyone thinks.
“I was hoping I’d take the last wicket like I did in 2009, but for it to be Bres [Tim Bresnan] was very fitting. I’m so chuffed for the lad – he’s not very bright but he bowled unbelievably well throughout this match.
“To come back from the Perth defeat the way we did was amazing . We got a bit emotional in Perth and got caught up in the war of words and it cost us.” Collingwood, playing in his fourth Ashes series, recalled the hurt he felt four years ago when Australia humiliated England 5-0.
“We’ve been through some horrible times and four years ago was one of them. Australia tend to rub your noses in it and let you know when they’ve beaten you – and that is what happened in 2006,” he said. “We have to savour these moments because they don’t come along that often, but I’m so proud of the lads and the way we’ve played.”
England’s players did a lap of honour for the 10,000 fans celebrating the victory and performed the dance craze of the tour – ‘The Sprinkler’ – for them.
“We have the best fans in the world,” said Pietersen. “They’ve had to go through 24 years of pain out here, so to be a part of it is amazing and it is the greatest day of my career.
Ashes glory in Melbourne-
By - Sportsmail Reporter
England spinner Graeme Swann heralded an 'amazing series' after England retained the Ashes in Melbourne.
Swann took one of the three wickets needed to wrap up a first successful series in Australia for 24 years, as England recorded a crushing innings win at the MCG.
Chris Tremlett snared Mitchell Johnson, Swann had Peter Siddle caught in the deep and Tim Bresnan took the historic wicket of Ben Hilfenhaus to kickstart the celebrations.
Happy days: Graeme Swann celebrates on a lap of honour
'It's been an amazing series,' Swann told Sky. 'It's fluctuated so wildly. After the hammering we got in Perth it took a mammoth effort to come back.
'I think the difference to me is we had a few more guys in good nick with bat and ball. They have some unbelievable players but Ricky Ponting has not had a good score, how we've managed that I'll never know and he's one of the best players going.
'I was hoping I'd take the last wicket, but it's fitting that 'Bres' got it. I'm over the moon. I said before I wouldn't bother if I didn't take a wicket in the series as long as we won it.'
Bresnan, for whom the Test marked his first of the tour, admitted: 'It's an unbelievable feeling. I think we'll have a few decent days of celebrations now.
'The bowlers worked in partnerships and created pressure and that became wickets.'
Victory: England's team celebrate their Melbourne win
Batsman Ian Bell admitted the win will take some time to sink in in the England dressing room.
'This is one of the best moments,' he said. 'Winning at the MCG in the Boxing Day Test, especially after this performance, it's fantastic.
'We're a bit gobsmacked. The performances we've done out here have been fantastic since we've arrived.
'To retain the Ashes, we've worked very hard for this. Now we have to prepare for Sydney and we hope to end the series on a high. We want to put in a good performance in Sydney.
'At times Australia have shown they're a good side but we've also played some good cricket. Our batting, bowling and fielding has been fantastic and it's good we've been able to play consistent cricket for some time now.'
England's spin master, Graeme Swann, enjoyed another great year in 2010, playing a pivotal role in series wins against Bangladesh and Pakistan as well as the World Twenty20 triumph over Australia.
Among the 31-year-old's many highlights were taking his first 10-wicket haul in a Test match, against Bangladesh, and twice taking five wickets or more in an innings in the Tests series against Pakistan.
He was England's leading wicket taker in their successful World Twenty20 campaign and also weighed in with plenty of valuable runs with the bat.
Named as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year, Swann was singled out for further praise when he was named the ECB Cricketer of the Year in May.
Now attempting to help his country to victory over Australia in the Ashes series, Swann's importance to England has never been greater.
Were Swann to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, he would become the first cricketer to do so since Andrew Flintoff lifted the trophy in 2005.
Bowler Graeme Swann, 31, who led the team's sprinkler dance, owned up to a "headache and ropey guts".
But all the players said it was back to business as they travel to Sydney determined to win the fifth and final Test.
Bowler Tim Bresnan, 25, tweeted: "Celebrating done. Sore head this morning. On to Sydney to wrap up the series.
"The Barmy Army have reinforcements heading up. Should be noisy!"
The team celebrations were lively but nowhere near as riotous as the party which followed the 2005 Ashes victory, when a famously blurry-eyed Andrew Flintoff and other players stayed up most of the night.
England coach Andy Flower said: "I am very proud of the way the guys have played, but there's a lot of cricket ahead on this tour."
Graeme Swann has been belatedly added to the International Cricket Council's contenders for player of the year.
The original list of 16 featured no England players, but ICC chairman Clive Lloyd told BBC Sport Swann's omission on Wednesday had been an "oversight".
The off-spinner's absence had caused an outcry, after he took 49 Test wickets at 27.55 and 28 one-day wickets at 23.28 during the qualification period.
Other names on the list include Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar.
There are five South Africans - Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel, plus Indians Mahendra Dhoni and Virender Sehwag.
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
