Amla the magnificent – much more than a beard

Underrated and understated in the media. People should start to realise just how good Hashim Amla is…

What a fantastic test match and what a shame there were only two tests in the ‘series’. It is a travesty. But even with two tons each from Sehwag and Tendulkar, fantastic knocks from Laxman and Kallis and great bowling from Steyn and Harbhajan, the undoubted star of the series was Hashim Amla.

Here are the stats: Amla batted for 23 hours and 22 minutes in the series, scored 494 runs and was only out once. That is truly remarkable. It means that he has now scored 678 runs already in 2010 at an average of 168.5. Eat your heart out Don Bradman.

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I previously wrote about the  Aussies being extremely reluctant to give up their Test Cricket Crown. They doggishly remained at the top of the ICC Test Cricket Team Rankings with the convincing final match victory of the South Africa series. In an almost identical situation, that of a meaningless contest (except for their ranking), the Aussies finally relinquished their hold at the top of the One Day International Rankings losing the 5th ODI to the flashing blades of Amla (97) and Duminy(60*). The tourists eventually condemning the Aussies to a 4-1 series defeat.

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49.5 overs South Africa 438 for 9 (Gibbs 175, Smith 90, Boucher 50*) beat Australia 434 for 4 (Ponting 164, Hussey 81, Katich 79) by one wicket in the 5th ODI, Johannesburg in 2006

scenes from greatest ever match

Australia defeat South Africa by 52 runs as NSW rookie opener David Warner hits 2nd fastest Twenty20 half century, off 19 balls.

Last night’s game was nothing short of sensational with a hungry new look Australian team chomping at the bit to put South Africa back in their place. The pulsating encounter had 3 breathtaking episodes that had the MCG rocking.

1. David Warner 89 off 43 Balls

Records 2nd fastest twenty20 half century from 19 balls

Who is David Warner? That was the thoughts of 62,000 cricket lovers at the MCG as the NSW rookie stepped into the famous green and gold attire for the most memorable of debuts.

Warner, only the third Australian in 158 years to represent his country before making his first-class debut, stole the show with a man-of-the-match performance.

In just over an hour, Warner smashed six sixes and seven fours to register the joint fifth-highest Twenty20 international score, and the third best by an Australian.

It was the kind of inspirational innings that would have youngsters all over Australia salivating at the thought of playing cricket for their country one day.

“It is the exhuberance of youth that allows you to play that way, so it is terrific to see. I’m always astonished because I know for a fact that hitting blokes back over their heads at 140, 150km/h at the MCG is not that easy.” Mark Taylor talking to the Australian.

“Some of the sweetest hitting I have seen. It was like Gilly being back at the top of the order again.” Ponting exuded to the Nine Network.

“It can’t believe it. It’s unreal. I went out there and backed myself to do what I’ve been doing the last couple of weeks and it came off.” Warner told the Nine Network.

2. Shaun Tait Bowls like a Freight Train

Tait’s opening over:

1. 152km/h (95mph) Bouncer directed at Kallis’ temples, he fends and an appeal for caught behind
2. 155km/h (97mph)
3. 155km/h (97mph)  Wicket of De Villiers (see vid)
4. 152km/h (95mph)
5. 156km/h (98mph)
6. 153km/h (96mph)

Ball 3 – Most Painful and Embarrassing Dismissal for AB  De Villiers as he hits his own Wicket

The shuddering of De Villier’s hip bone reverberating around the MCG sent a shiver down the spine of even the least squeamish of supporters. One of the longest and painful walks back to the pavilion you could possible have.

3. Duminy hits Tait over the Keeper for 6

The composure and innovation to flick a ball travelling at 150kph over the keeper’s head is nothing short of phenomenal. JP Duminy continues his test form and shows that he is an exquisite strokemaker in all forms of the game. His blistering innings of 78 from 48 balls was merely a sideshow as South Africa fell well short of their target of 183.

A phenomenal game from start to finish.

Like to see big hitting?

Yuvraj Singh holds the record for fastest with 12 balls versus England in the Twenty20 world cup in Durban 2007. You might remember it was the game where Yuvraj smashed Stuart Broad for 6 sixes in an over.