Hashim Amla: South Africa's Cricket Star

India, its media are in turmoil- as if they are at war with an unknown invisible enemy- not least because Indian fears Pakistani attack or US invasion, but it was crushed in a test cricket to the better team from South Africa, coinciding with Australia thrashing West Indians equally badly. Indian fanaticism cannot tolerate a defeat in sport because the media claim Indian sportsmen are the best, because they have won some medal in South Asia Games where Pakistan defeated India in hockey.

South Africa won the Tst-1 on 08 Feb in Nagpur in India by an innings and 6 runs jolting the Indian sport as well as other media stalwarts. Indian media are lost their glorious momentum and are busy finding the “cause” for such devastating defeat that cost them a bogus test ranking as well. Now South Africa has convincingly won the Test-1 in India thrashing Indians taken away the champions title from the neck of India. South African batsmen and blowers plus the fielders in a firm determination outclassed Indians in all departments in such a way the Indian skipper for the first time in life admitted that another country has outplayed India completely in all departments right from the 1st day although he did grumble about Indian pitch for the worst performance. .

Hashim Amla hit 22 fours in his unbeaten 253-run knock as the tourists posted an imposing 558-6 before declaring their first innings. Amla smashed his maiden double-century to put South Africa in the driver's seat on the second day of the first Test against India on Sunday the 07 Feb.  Amla hit 22 fours in his unbeaten 253-run knock as the tourists posted an imposing 558-6 before declaring their first innings. Young Amla, who is being projected as the successor of Smith to lead the SA team, is a believer and does not endorse any liquor or smoke brand or such advertisements that are not forbidden in Islam. He says making quick cash in any manner is not at all his motto and he is happy with his earnings in a proper manner. Many non-Muslim (essentially anti-Islamic) commentators have amused him by making derogatory remarks on his beard calling him a terrorist in Indo-US fashion. Even a secular Hindu diplomat reporting from Chennai last year when Amla played against India insulted him by badly describing his beard that was very proudly posted in a Chennai eveninger.

Undoubtedly, Hashim Mohd. Amla, the Man of the Match, was the top most performer with his highly watchful bat. Hashim Amla hit a double century and Kallis struck 173 to put South Africa in control with Steyn returning his career-best figures to bowl out top-ranked India for 233 in their first innings. Steyn was undoubtedly the pick of the bowlers for SA and he deserves a pat on the back for his 4th 10-wicket haul in tests. Amla and Kallis set up things for SA on Day 1 and 2 and their bowlers backed them up too. The Proteas will have a psychological edge as they go into the second Test at Kolkata. Assuming that Amla made his 250 plus runs thanks mainly to his own efforts it is hi greatest achievement. Styn defended Amla’s strenuous, patient inning with neat surgical bowling. South Africa won the opening Test by an innings and six runs on Tuesday to hand top-ranked India their first defeat on home soil in almost two years. The last time India lost a test at home was to South Africa in Ahmedabad in 2008.

Amla could have reached another milestone of 300 plus, but that could have been a risky proposition and the skipper did the right thing at the right time and won the Test. India were bowled out (twice) for 233 & 319 as Steyn finished with a match haul of 10 for 108 following South Africa's imposing first innings of 558 for six declared and a career-best seven for 51 in India's first innings. Left-arm spinner Paul Harris and fast bowler Dale Steyn took three wickets each to help South Africa record a morale-boosting victory after they broke Sachin Tendulkar's resistance following his just 100 only runs as a SA gift with timely help from other four batsmen who played  to boost his runs and made him irrelevant. Tendulkar, who was dropped by Jacques Kallis at slip on 45 without valid reason, batted superbly before he succumbed to Harris.

Hashim Amla smashed his maiden double ton on 07 Feb 2010. Having ceded centre-stage to Jacques Kallis for much of the first day, Hashim Amla, the arc lights trained squarely on him on the second day of the first Test, delivered a virtuoso performance.  First he went slow and casutiously, Amla has since tidied his game, refining his back-lift, strengthening his footwork; He employed a refreshingly unique method at the VCA Stadium, which gradually grew  more robust. He didn’t appear as invulnerable as before any time in his career. Amla marshalled his resources with aplomb and went from 184 to 188 with a reverse-swept four, but otherwise played the percentages, turning Harbhajan and Sehwag behind square on the leg-side. Amla’s unbeaten 253 possessed all the qualities of a blockbuster; it also had the imprint of individuality that separates the memorable innings from the average marathon.

From the beginning of this match it was controlled by one side: South Africa kept the dominance of this match from first to last. As a result they won the match within four days. South Africa batsman Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn are the heroes of this match. After Hashim Amla, it was South African fast bowler Dale Steyn who helped his team to get an easy victory. He hauled 7 wickets for 51 at an average of 3.13 which destroyed Indian batting line up in the first innings. These two players put South African team in a driving seat. Because of their superb performance South Africa could easily won the match in Indian soil. Hashim Amla was announced player of the match for his heroic century in the first innings. Without bowlers’ clinical efforts, Amla’s 253 runs could perhaps have gone waste.

Graeme Smith declared South Africa’s first innings on 558 for six and India completely collapsed thereafter because India solely depended upon Opener Ga Gambhir and Vr Sehwag and did not expect much from others. Tendulakar was himself was not sure of his luck.  South Africa has been sniffing victory after they bowled out India cheaply in the first Innings. The home team was bowled out for 233 and forced to bat in their second innings to follow on South Africa’s lead. India hoped for plenty of luck to win or save the match even after the enforced follow on. Indian cricket team needing more 325 runs to equal South African inning and put some lead in front of them, got all out for 319 on fourth day. This shameful defeat against South Africa may be, is also Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s first test defeat as a captain. Irrespective of the outcome, South Africa will remain the top ranker in Test even after the Kolkata Test.

South African skipper Smith had declared on arrival in India that they have come to India to remove India form the Test Ranking and become the number one Test players of the world once again. His team, both batsmen and bowlers gave life to this prediction by superbly playing the match, although the visiting skipper himself could score only 06 runs as one of the openers while the other opener Prince collapsed with a duck. The way Indians tightened the grip right at the beginning of the Test so much that Kallis took 40 minutes for his first run. Amla progressed serenely, but India’s bowlers managed to retard South Africa’s scoring. In the hour before tea, India kept South Africa to 30 runs from 14 overs — the home side’s best hour of play after the first morning.

The importance of the Test-1 is the message that six wickets of South Africa are stronger than all of 20 wickets of India. Recently, India challenged Bangladesh, a weaker team, to take their 20 wickets, but BD could not. Now Indians have lost all 20 wickets as quickly as possible in the earliest Test event in India itself. South Africa took a right decision to bat first after winning the toss. Touring team declared their first innings after scoring 558 for 6. It became possible because of Hashim Amla’s maiden double century and second triple-hundred partnership along with Jacques Kallis. This pair added 340 runs more in their third wicket stand. Hashim Amla was unbeaten 253 while Jacques Kallis scored 173 runs which was his 34th test century.

It was Amla who stole the show with his remarkable innings which came off 473 balls during a more than 11-hour stay at the wicket. Winning the first test match by an innings and 6 runs against India, visitors South Africa took a 1-0 lead of the two-match test series. This victory indicates that South African regained their top position in the ICC Test ranking. Not only that but also they are hoping to clinch a series victory for the first time in their cricket career. Hashim has rightfully entered the Top 10 in the rankings for the first time in his career following his magnificent 253 notout in the first innings which helped SA set its victory in the first Test at Nagpur, Maharashtra. Amla is now just three ratings points behind Sachun.

For Indians, who expected an easy Indian win, thought that they could see an exciting and thrilling match between them, it was a devastatingly disappointing test match between two top ranked teams in ICC Test ranking as cricket fans. Since the outcome of the Test went against Indian great expectations, bickering and cross border criticisms erupted in Indian media. Rejecting suggestions that selection goof-ups led to India's humiliating defeat in the first Test against South Africa, chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth today said he is still ready to face the sack if held responsible for the debacle. The Nagpur disaster has put the selection committee in tight spot many offering advices about what should and should not be done  in cricket. While before the match the media did not find fault with the selection but praised competence of it , now they blast the committee. They argue now India lost the match by an innings and six runs yesterday and former players and critics felt the team desperately missed a specialist batsman in the absence of the injured duo of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. But Srikkanth refuted the criticism, saying that the selectors could not be held responsible if a reserve batsman also ends up on the injured list on the morning of the match. "The whole thing would not have blown up had Rohit played. The questions that are being raised are about Saha's selection. He is actually a wicketkeeper who can bat a bit. But he proved himself well in the match.

A quiet, calm Amla thanked almighty for the achievement and said in soft voice: Yes, this is one of my best knocks. It was difficult but I am grateful that I helped the team get into a good position. I've had some big partnerships with Kallis before so that helped us complement each other and it set the momentum for us in this match. It was a conscious effort from my side to keep things risk free and not play airy shots. He is looking forward to playing at Eden Gardens in a similar sustained manner.

A comprehensive victory for South Africa then as they win the first test by an innings and 6 runs could be inspiring to the world of cricket to play real games. And the visitors showed their firm resolve to the cricket world. The second and final test is in Kolkata at the weekend. South Africa will reclaim the number one ranking. Obviously, South African team is in full form and would clinch the series by winning the second Test at Kolkata’s Aden Garden as well. Earlier, South Africa had won a final IDI at Aden Gardens by 10 wickets against India.