With Hashim Amla approaching his 100th ODI this weekend, we look at his 10 finest knocks in the format.
1. vs England, 28 August 2012
Amla scored a staggering 150 which helped South Africa to a good score of 287 against England at the Rose Bowl in 2012. Amla and Graeme Smith’s opening partnership of 89 set the tone for the innings and provided the team with a solid foundation. He was later caught by Tim Bresnan off the bowling of Steve Finn. The Proteas defeated England by 80 runs and Amla received the Man of the Match accolade.
2. vs Pakistan, 2 November 2010
A cool, calm and collected Amla produced a special innings against an inspired Pakistan bowling attack in tough Dubai conditions. He scored 119 not out and the second highest score was 26. That tells you the story. Amla carried SA to a two-run victory and his great batting display in such fatiguing conditions earned him the Man of the Match award.
3. vs Pakistan, 17 March 2013
Amla and AB de Villiers shared a Man of the Match award after they produced a glitzy world-record third-wicket partnership of 238 against Pakistan which led to South Africa’s 34-run victory over their Asian opponents. An accumulation of beautiful drives and aggression led Amla to 122 off 113. It was evident he was quite influential, alongside AB, to lead the Proteas to 343.
4. vs India, 23 January 2011
In the 5th ODI and the series decider against India at Centurion, Amla claimed another Man of the Match award for his sublime performance of 116 not out which carried South Africa to an adequate score of 250. The Proteas defeated India by 33 runs and also claimed the series .
5. vs West Indies, 30 May 2010
An ice-cool 129 by Amla was enough to claim a seven-wicket victory over the West Indies at the Roseau Stadium, Dominica 2010. Although South Africa appeared to ease through the match while Amla was at the crease but somehow the Proteas lost their concentration which led to a strong percentage of losing the game but in the last over the Proteas managed the victory. Through Amla’s performance, the Proteas were the victors.
6. vs Australia, 30 January 2009
On a warm afternoon for the day/night encounter between Australia and South Africa at the WACA Stadium in Perth, 2009 the Proteas were anchored by a calm 97 by Amla which entitled him to the Man of the Match award. It was an inexperienced lineup as debutants Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Wayne Parnell were added to the squad. Amla led from the front as SA chose to bat first and formulated an inspiring partnership with AB de Villiers. The visitors triumphed with a 39-run win.
7. vs New Zealand, 24 October 2014
On a difficult Mount Maunganui pitch, Amla surmounted the sluggish pitch and recorded another century (119) and, also another Man of the Match award. The tone was set by Amla as the game was virtually a one-man show. Reason being SA looked set to reach 300, Amla was bowled by Tim Southee toward the latter stage on the innings and his wicket sparked a collapse. But nevertheless it was through Amla’s century and an inspiring bowling attack which sealed a 72-run victory over the Black Caps.
8. vs Bangladesh, 9 November 2008
Amla, who scored his maiden ODI century, set up a crushing 128-run win against Bangladesh at the Benoni Stadium in 2009. The most significant performance of the match was by Amla who stole the headlines with his 140 runs and receiving the Man of the Match award. This cemented his position in the team after replacing Herschelle Gibbs. The Proteas reached a mammoth score of 358 for 4 in which Bangladesh evidently couldn’t respond to courtesy of Amla’s wonderful knock.
9. vs Zimbabwe, 20 August 2014
An in form Amla notched up 122 not out as South Africa defeated Zimbabwe by 93-runs in Bulawayo. Yet another Man of the Match performance, he was immensely influential in this game which gave the Proteas the perfect start in the Triangular series with Australia and Zimbabwe.
10. vs Sri Lanka, 6 July 2014
The Proteas defeated Sri Lanka by 75 runs in 2014 at the Colombo Stadium. Amla anchored the innings with a hard-fought 109 and had a 151-run partnership with AB de Villiers. The pair faced the bulk of the balls and were largely untroubled. Amla gained considerable momentum which resulted him as the Man of the Match.
Watch Amla talk about #ProteaFire
Compiled by Matthew Sims
Photo: Backpagepix
