South Africa have enjoyed a stellar 12 months in the Test arena and there is every reason to think they can maintain their impressive development.
South Africa’s Test series win in Australia marked the end of an era. But did it also represent the beginning of a new era, one of South African dominance?
The simultaneous improvements made by India suggest not, especially as Australia will surely be a strong force sooner rather than later. The Proteas have a tough task to consistently hang onto their number one ranking, should they indeed take it from the Aussies in the coming months.
The current team is well-equipped to mount a challenge for Test dominance. They have a young but experienced captain who is at the peak of his powers in Graeme Smith, a youthful middle order of Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and JP Duminy that is suddenly established as the most promising in the world and a pair of fresh tearaway quick bowlers in the form of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.
The retirement of Shaun Pollock and impending departures of Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs and Makhaya Ntini will not be as keenly felt as seemed likely when those pillars of the side were at their best, nor indeed as much as Australia felt the retirements of their own stalwarts of the last decade and a half.
Similarly, the long-term future of South African cricket is looking better than it has for some time. Their development program has been under close scrutiny since their readmission into international cricket and whilst valid concerns exist over the funding and recruiting of talent from black communities, the fact that Ali Bacher feels the racial quota policy has served its purpose is suggestive of adequate progress.
The South African U19 team was runner-up at the last youth World Cup in 2008 (to India; more evidence of who is likely to battle for seniority at full international level?) and is currently asserting their superiority of their English counterparts.
The senior One Day team therefore has some new talent waiting to be introduced as it continues its transition phase ahead of the 2011 World Cup. The Test team is harder to break into, as it should be having won in England for just the third time and more notably Australia for the first time.
The second decade of the 21st century might not see one team dominate as Australia did for the preceding 15 years, but it will see South Africa be consistently near the top of the tree.
Written by Philip Oliver, a sports writer who blogs about cricket betting.
Showing posts with label Hashim Amla. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hashim Amla. Show all posts
Friday, 16 January 2009
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
The new stars of 2008
The cricketing year ended with Australia in disarray, South Africa and India on the up and everyone else failing to move significantly, especially Pakistan, who didn’t play a single Test match.
New Year is the perfect opportunity for sporting lists, and here are my selections of players who have made notable breakthroughs in 2008:
Hashim Amla (South Africa)
Dale Steyn has been the star with the ball and Graeme Smith the biggest influence through his runs and captaincy, but the biggest strides have been by Amla, who finished the year as fourth-highest Test runscorer.
He hinted at what was to come at the end of 2007 but this year found true consistency, scoring notable hundreds in India and England. An elegant player, he, along with AB de Villiers, adds the panache that compliments the resoluteness of Smith, Neil McKenzie, Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince – the most productive batting line-up in the world.
Mitchell Johnson (Australia)
A rare individual highlight in what turned out to be a disappointing year for Australia. Johnson made an immediate impact for the Baggy Greens, taking 11 wickets in his first three Tests at the end of 2007 and has not looked back since. Only Steyn took more Test wickets this year.
Injuries to Brett Lee and Stuart Clark have left him as leader of the attack and he will be one of the first names on the team sheet as Australia contemplate their rebuilding job.
Gautam Gambhir (India)
Gambhir endured a stop-start career between 2004 and 2007 but has been a revelation since returning to the top of the order against Sri Lanka in July. He scored 1,134 Test runs in 16 Test innings in 2008, finishing off with three tons and three fifties in his last eight knocks.
His opening partnership with Virender Sehwag is the most exciting in any form of cricket and the reliable platforms the pair set will be a key component of India’s assault on the number one ranking.
Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka)
The most exciting spinner since Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan broke onto the scene in the mid-1990s. His array of offspinners, googlies and flippers delivered at medium pace are nearly impossible to read, as 26 wickets in three Tests and 48 in 18 ODIs testifies.
Choosing breakthrough players for Pakistan and England is difficult due to their respective inactivity and closed shop selection policy, so honourable mentions go to Sohail Tanvir and Stuart Broad for maintaining the promise they showed in 2007.
West Indies have relied so heavily on Wisden Cricketer of the Year Shivnarine Chanderpaul that other contributions have been minimal, but Brendan Nash’s successful debut bodes well for the continuation of Windies’ recovery next year.
Jesse Ryder made an impression in the wrong way after making a fine start to his international career in February. His subsequent rehabilitation has been uplifting for those who enjoy watching a chubby sportsman compete at the highest level, although his appearance and occasional destructive strokeplay belies a vastly talented and elegant batsman.
Bangladesh have endured another terrible year and look set to finish with eight Test defeats and one draw. Their solitary ray of hope has been left arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, who produced enough runs and wickets against New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka to suggest the Tigers have a genuine all-round talent in their midst.
Written by Philip Oliver, a sports writer who blogs about cricket betting.
New Year is the perfect opportunity for sporting lists, and here are my selections of players who have made notable breakthroughs in 2008:
Hashim Amla (South Africa)
Dale Steyn has been the star with the ball and Graeme Smith the biggest influence through his runs and captaincy, but the biggest strides have been by Amla, who finished the year as fourth-highest Test runscorer.
He hinted at what was to come at the end of 2007 but this year found true consistency, scoring notable hundreds in India and England. An elegant player, he, along with AB de Villiers, adds the panache that compliments the resoluteness of Smith, Neil McKenzie, Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince – the most productive batting line-up in the world.
Mitchell Johnson (Australia)
A rare individual highlight in what turned out to be a disappointing year for Australia. Johnson made an immediate impact for the Baggy Greens, taking 11 wickets in his first three Tests at the end of 2007 and has not looked back since. Only Steyn took more Test wickets this year.
Injuries to Brett Lee and Stuart Clark have left him as leader of the attack and he will be one of the first names on the team sheet as Australia contemplate their rebuilding job.
Gautam Gambhir (India)
Gambhir endured a stop-start career between 2004 and 2007 but has been a revelation since returning to the top of the order against Sri Lanka in July. He scored 1,134 Test runs in 16 Test innings in 2008, finishing off with three tons and three fifties in his last eight knocks.
His opening partnership with Virender Sehwag is the most exciting in any form of cricket and the reliable platforms the pair set will be a key component of India’s assault on the number one ranking.
Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka)
The most exciting spinner since Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan broke onto the scene in the mid-1990s. His array of offspinners, googlies and flippers delivered at medium pace are nearly impossible to read, as 26 wickets in three Tests and 48 in 18 ODIs testifies.
Choosing breakthrough players for Pakistan and England is difficult due to their respective inactivity and closed shop selection policy, so honourable mentions go to Sohail Tanvir and Stuart Broad for maintaining the promise they showed in 2007.
West Indies have relied so heavily on Wisden Cricketer of the Year Shivnarine Chanderpaul that other contributions have been minimal, but Brendan Nash’s successful debut bodes well for the continuation of Windies’ recovery next year.
Jesse Ryder made an impression in the wrong way after making a fine start to his international career in February. His subsequent rehabilitation has been uplifting for those who enjoy watching a chubby sportsman compete at the highest level, although his appearance and occasional destructive strokeplay belies a vastly talented and elegant batsman.
Bangladesh have endured another terrible year and look set to finish with eight Test defeats and one draw. Their solitary ray of hope has been left arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, who produced enough runs and wickets against New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka to suggest the Tigers have a genuine all-round talent in their midst.
Written by Philip Oliver, a sports writer who blogs about cricket betting.
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Soaring Saffers
South Africa were this week confirmed as the number one ODI side in the world. This came during the same week in which they beat India away by an innings and ninety runs, in the process losing only seven wickets themselves. Whilst Australia and India have been drawing the media’s gaze over the past year or so, Graeme Smith’s side has been going quietly about winning series after series in all formats of the game.
Since 2006 they have beaten India (Home (and lead 3 match series 1-0 Away), Pakistan (Home and Away), New Zealand (Home), the West Indies (Home) and Bangladesh (Away) in Test Match series. Meanwhile they have triumphed over India (Home), Pakistan (Home and Away), New Zealand (Home), West Indies (Home), Bangladesh (Away), Zimbabwe (Home and Away) and Ireland (Away) in ODI series.
South African Results: 2006-2008
2006 Zimbabwe (Home) ODI: 3-0.
2006/2007 India (Home) Test: 2-1; ODI: 4-0; Twenty20: 0-1.
2007 Pakistan (Home) Test: 2-1; ODI 3-1; Twenty20 1-0.
2007 Ireland (Away) ODI: 1-0.
2007 Zimbabwe (Away) ODI: 3-0.
2007 Pakistan (Away) Test: 1-0; ODI: 3-2.
2007 New Zealand (Home) Test: 2-0; ODI 2-1; Twenty20: 1-0.
2007/2008 West Indies (Home) Test: 2-1; ODI: 5-0; Twenty20: 1-1.
2008 Bangladesh (Away) Test: 2-0; ODI: 3-0.
2008 India (Away) Test: Lead 3 match series 1-0.
The cumulative records are as follows:
Test Matches: 12-3.
ODI’s: 27-4.
Twenty20: 3-2.
That is a fairly convincing record, even when the lesser opposition is removed. The victories on the subcontinent, in both India and Pakistan, are particularly impressive and indicative of a side very much on the up. Indeed, being able to win in both India and Pakistan is one of the toughest tasks in international cricket and a necessary precursor to world dominance.
Batting Prowess
The South African batting line-up finally seems to be coming together as a strong unit. Graeme Smith and the recently recalled Neil McKenzie form an excellent opening partnership, whilst the solidity provided by Hashim Amla and Jaques Kallis provides a fantastic balance to the side. Amla has really developed over the last year, translating his awesome domestic form into the international arena. Ashwell Prince (41.00) faces increasing pressure from the impressive Jean-Paul Duminy for his place in the side and Duminy could well prove to be the final piece of the jigsaw in the batting line-up, with AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher secure in their respective positions. Both are of course fantastic wicket keepers, so South Africa are well covered in that department, with Boucher holding the world record for most dismissals.
Penetrative Bowling
The bowling line-up has experienced much change over the last year, with Shaun Pollock’s recent retirement and the emergence of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel as top quality bowlers. Both bowl at in excess of 90 m.p.h. and Steyn is currently the joint top Test Match bowler in the ICC rankings, along with Muttiah Muralitheran. Makaya Ntini has long been recognised as a leading bowler in world cricket and he also bowls upwards of 90 m.p.h. Backed up by Jaques Kallis and looked on at by Andre Nel, the pace bowling department is top notch and possibly the best world cricket has to offer. The enduring weakness of South African cricket over the past decade has though been the absence of a spinner of real quality. Claude Henderson has possibly been the most talented South African spinner of recent times, but he of course plays as a kolpak for Leicestershire. Paul Harris and Johan Botha seem to be the two spinners of choice at the moment in Test Match cricket and ODI’s respectively. They are hardly world class performers, but Harris especially has shown an ability to take top opposition wickets at a low cost and economy. Harris is an exception to the South African rule of playing a spinner who can bat and appears to be growing into his role within the Test side. His inclusion is a signal of aggressive intent from the South Africans and if fortune favours the bold, he may prove to be the missing link whom the Springboks have long been searching for. Botha is more in the Nicky Boje vein of being able to bat, bowl and field well, hence him being preferred for limited overs matches.
A Test Match side of;
Smith (c) (48.51 / HS 277)
McKenzie (Since Jan 2008: 95.17 / HS 226)
Amla (Since April 2006: 42.37 / HS 176*)
Kallis (57.73 / HS 189* - 31.20 / 66.70)
Duminy (First Class: 52.25 / HS 169)
De Villiers (40.30 / HS 217*)
Boucher (wk) (30.21 / HS 125 - 411 ct / 19 st)
M. Morkel (23.75 - 36.84 / 56.60)
Harris (30.35 / 71.40)
Steyn (21.41 / 35.60)
Ntini (27.78 / 51.60);
will worry the fiercest of opposition and could yet challenge the possibly weakening Australian stranglehold over Test Match cricket.
Meanwhile, an ODI line-up of;
Smith (c) (41.11)
Gibbs (36.53)
Kallis (45.21 - 31.53 / 39.20)
De Villiers (37.66)
Duminy (36.35)
Boucher (wk) (28.98 - 368 ct / 18 st)
A. Morkel (18.15 - 29.03 / 33.90)
Botha (18.00 - 52.84 / 67.20)
M. Morkel (26.00 - 22.95 / 28.60)
Steyn (35.33 / 38.40)
Ntini (24.12 / 32.30);
is already officially the best on offer.
The Coach
Coach Mickey Arthur has recovered from a tough start (three series defeats out of four to Australia) to transform South Africa into a side which is once again feared, not just at home, but also away. There have been blips along the way (most notably away to Sri Lanka), but there can be no denying that Arthur has impressed with his recent record, especially on the subcontinent. Differences with the board over South African selection policy lurk in the background though, but as long as Arthur continues the impressive resurgence of South African fortunes on the international stage, he will hold a certain degree of power in any future disputes. For the good of South African cricket, Arthur needs to be left to run the team in the way which he sees fit, because, although young (39), he has the potential to lift South Africa to a new level and place this South African side atop the world tree.
The Best is Yet to Come?
South Africa have had plenty of false dawns recently and have found it hard to shake the tag of being chokers on the big occasions. The results of both the final match in India and the upcoming tour of England will show just how far they have come in the last two years and more importantly, how much further they can go yet, with a visit to Australia at the year's end. Cricketing neutrals will hope that this enigmatic beast can emerge as a serious threat to Australia in Test matches as well as ODI’s. That task is not an easy one, but for the moment South Africa rightly hold the position of second in the ICC Test Match rankings and number one in the ODI rankings. A fantastic summer lies ahead, but not necessarily for England.
Since 2006 they have beaten India (Home (and lead 3 match series 1-0 Away), Pakistan (Home and Away), New Zealand (Home), the West Indies (Home) and Bangladesh (Away) in Test Match series. Meanwhile they have triumphed over India (Home), Pakistan (Home and Away), New Zealand (Home), West Indies (Home), Bangladesh (Away), Zimbabwe (Home and Away) and Ireland (Away) in ODI series.
South African Results: 2006-2008
2006 Zimbabwe (Home) ODI: 3-0.
2006/2007 India (Home) Test: 2-1; ODI: 4-0; Twenty20: 0-1.
2007 Pakistan (Home) Test: 2-1; ODI 3-1; Twenty20 1-0.
2007 Ireland (Away) ODI: 1-0.
2007 Zimbabwe (Away) ODI: 3-0.
2007 Pakistan (Away) Test: 1-0; ODI: 3-2.
2007 New Zealand (Home) Test: 2-0; ODI 2-1; Twenty20: 1-0.
2007/2008 West Indies (Home) Test: 2-1; ODI: 5-0; Twenty20: 1-1.
2008 Bangladesh (Away) Test: 2-0; ODI: 3-0.
2008 India (Away) Test: Lead 3 match series 1-0.
The cumulative records are as follows:
Test Matches: 12-3.
ODI’s: 27-4.
Twenty20: 3-2.
That is a fairly convincing record, even when the lesser opposition is removed. The victories on the subcontinent, in both India and Pakistan, are particularly impressive and indicative of a side very much on the up. Indeed, being able to win in both India and Pakistan is one of the toughest tasks in international cricket and a necessary precursor to world dominance.
Batting Prowess
The South African batting line-up finally seems to be coming together as a strong unit. Graeme Smith and the recently recalled Neil McKenzie form an excellent opening partnership, whilst the solidity provided by Hashim Amla and Jaques Kallis provides a fantastic balance to the side. Amla has really developed over the last year, translating his awesome domestic form into the international arena. Ashwell Prince (41.00) faces increasing pressure from the impressive Jean-Paul Duminy for his place in the side and Duminy could well prove to be the final piece of the jigsaw in the batting line-up, with AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher secure in their respective positions. Both are of course fantastic wicket keepers, so South Africa are well covered in that department, with Boucher holding the world record for most dismissals.
Penetrative Bowling
The bowling line-up has experienced much change over the last year, with Shaun Pollock’s recent retirement and the emergence of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel as top quality bowlers. Both bowl at in excess of 90 m.p.h. and Steyn is currently the joint top Test Match bowler in the ICC rankings, along with Muttiah Muralitheran. Makaya Ntini has long been recognised as a leading bowler in world cricket and he also bowls upwards of 90 m.p.h. Backed up by Jaques Kallis and looked on at by Andre Nel, the pace bowling department is top notch and possibly the best world cricket has to offer. The enduring weakness of South African cricket over the past decade has though been the absence of a spinner of real quality. Claude Henderson has possibly been the most talented South African spinner of recent times, but he of course plays as a kolpak for Leicestershire. Paul Harris and Johan Botha seem to be the two spinners of choice at the moment in Test Match cricket and ODI’s respectively. They are hardly world class performers, but Harris especially has shown an ability to take top opposition wickets at a low cost and economy. Harris is an exception to the South African rule of playing a spinner who can bat and appears to be growing into his role within the Test side. His inclusion is a signal of aggressive intent from the South Africans and if fortune favours the bold, he may prove to be the missing link whom the Springboks have long been searching for. Botha is more in the Nicky Boje vein of being able to bat, bowl and field well, hence him being preferred for limited overs matches.
A Test Match side of;
Smith (c) (48.51 / HS 277)
McKenzie (Since Jan 2008: 95.17 / HS 226)
Amla (Since April 2006: 42.37 / HS 176*)
Kallis (57.73 / HS 189* - 31.20 / 66.70)
Duminy (First Class: 52.25 / HS 169)
De Villiers (40.30 / HS 217*)
Boucher (wk) (30.21 / HS 125 - 411 ct / 19 st)
M. Morkel (23.75 - 36.84 / 56.60)
Harris (30.35 / 71.40)
Steyn (21.41 / 35.60)
Ntini (27.78 / 51.60);
will worry the fiercest of opposition and could yet challenge the possibly weakening Australian stranglehold over Test Match cricket.
Meanwhile, an ODI line-up of;
Smith (c) (41.11)
Gibbs (36.53)
Kallis (45.21 - 31.53 / 39.20)
De Villiers (37.66)
Duminy (36.35)
Boucher (wk) (28.98 - 368 ct / 18 st)
A. Morkel (18.15 - 29.03 / 33.90)
Botha (18.00 - 52.84 / 67.20)
M. Morkel (26.00 - 22.95 / 28.60)
Steyn (35.33 / 38.40)
Ntini (24.12 / 32.30);
is already officially the best on offer.
The Coach
Coach Mickey Arthur has recovered from a tough start (three series defeats out of four to Australia) to transform South Africa into a side which is once again feared, not just at home, but also away. There have been blips along the way (most notably away to Sri Lanka), but there can be no denying that Arthur has impressed with his recent record, especially on the subcontinent. Differences with the board over South African selection policy lurk in the background though, but as long as Arthur continues the impressive resurgence of South African fortunes on the international stage, he will hold a certain degree of power in any future disputes. For the good of South African cricket, Arthur needs to be left to run the team in the way which he sees fit, because, although young (39), he has the potential to lift South Africa to a new level and place this South African side atop the world tree.
The Best is Yet to Come?
South Africa have had plenty of false dawns recently and have found it hard to shake the tag of being chokers on the big occasions. The results of both the final match in India and the upcoming tour of England will show just how far they have come in the last two years and more importantly, how much further they can go yet, with a visit to Australia at the year's end. Cricketing neutrals will hope that this enigmatic beast can emerge as a serious threat to Australia in Test matches as well as ODI’s. That task is not an easy one, but for the moment South Africa rightly hold the position of second in the ICC Test Match rankings and number one in the ODI rankings. A fantastic summer lies ahead, but not necessarily for England.
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