Graeme Smith vs Hashim Amla - Who is better in Tests?

[Ab Fan]

I thought this deserves a thread too. Both significant players who made SA a dominant force between 2008-2014 through standout contribution with the bat.

Amla definitely the more talented one and has performed everywhere but Smith was mentally stronger and possessed a great run chasing ability in the 4th inning.

A great great leader but didn't do anything Vs India. Both have valid case to be argued as ATG. So who is better in tests in your opinion?

Discuss!

 

[another drop catch]

Hashim amla

 

[Sidilicious]

Smith, one of the ATG openers

 

[Hitman]

Graeme Smith anyday. Was a tough nut to crack, while Amla pretty much bottles it. And it's not like Amla has a vastly superior average either.

 

[Ab Fan]

Graeme Smith anyday. Was a tough nut to crack, while Amla pretty much bottles it. And it's not like Amla has a vastly superior average either.

Amla is a bottler in ODIs not in tests.

 

[ToeCrusher2]

Smith

 

[Hasan123]

Graeme Smith. A mentally strong player and a terrific leader.

 

[Mobashir]

It's very close but just because he opened in SA for so long, I will go with Graeme Smith at the moment. The best Test match opener in the last 20-30 years.

 

[Adil_94]

Smith

 

[Madplayer]

Graeme smith

 

[Ted123]

Amla because he did well in India. Smith failed there.

Both have done great everywhere else.

 

[Ab Fan]

It's very close but just because he opened in SA for so long, I will go with Graeme Smith at the moment. The best Test match opener in the last 20-30 years.

Then for the same reason Kirsten > Amla.

I am no Amla fan but looking for a proper reason apart from their captaincy skills which are obviously poles apart to each other.

 

[Ab Fan]

I think Smith takes it very easily as overall cricketer.

Amla is a poor captain and a poor fielder.

Batting wise solely, I would say Amla slightly.

 

[Chrish]

Pretty close tbh. Not really sure. Answer will depend on how Amla will finish.

 

[Bilal7]

I think Smith takes it very easily as overall cricketer.

Amla is a poor captain and a poor fielder.

Batting wise solely, I would say Amla slightly.

Poor fielder? He's a great slip catcher and if he's a poor fielder, then so were Smith and Kallis. Fielding and athleticism are different.

Amla is easily the better batsman. Much better in ODIs and has already surpassed Smith in tests, with a few years still left in the tank.

Smith did not average 70+ in the UAE, 60+ in India, 60+ in England, 50+ in South Africa and 45+ in Australia. He was a tougher character but not a better batsman than the Mighty #.

 

[Saffer_XIII]

Smith scored 27 Test centuries. The proteas never lost a match when he got 3 figures. The man inspired the entire team to perform better. His glaring weakness was left arm seamers. Mitch Johnson and Zaheer Khan tormented him.

 

[Mobashir]

I think Smith takes it very easily as overall cricketer.

Amla is a poor captain and a poor fielder.

Batting wise solely, I would say Amla slightly.

Smith wasn't a great fielder either. But both were very good slip fielders. In the test format I will take both of them over athletic players who can't catch.

 

[Mobashir]

Then for the same reason Kirsten > Amla.

I am no Amla fan but looking for a proper reason apart from their captaincy skills which are obviously poles apart to each other.

Kirsten is very underrated. He is very good but below these two players.
The reason I talked about the opening role is because I consider both of them at the same level, not much to separate, and I consider that opening in SA is the hardest position to bat in world cricket.

 

[Ab Fan]

Smith scored 27 Test centuries. The proteas never lost a match when he got 3 figures. The man inspired the entire team to perform better.

I think this is what makes him an ATG cricketer. He was a great batsmen like many of his own era but his gutsiness and ability to inspire the entire team elevates him to the ATG cricketer level.

 

[Ab Fan]

Kirsten is very underrated. He is very good but below these two players.
The reason I talked about the opening role is because I consider both of them at the same level, not much to separate, and I consider that opening in SA is the hardest position to bat in world cricket.

Yes, Kirsten is really underrated. Would have him ahead of Langer from his own era.

 

[jusarrived]

Smith was a definition of a match winner , the best opener in last 20 years . Amla has been very good , but I wudnt pick many players ahead of Smith .

 

[Ab Fan]

Poor fielder? He's a great slip catcher and if he's a poor fielder, then so were Smith and Kallis. Fielding and athleticism are different.

Amla is easily the better batsman. Much better in ODIs and has already surpassed Smith in tests, with a few years still left in the tank.

Smith did not average 70+ in the UAE, 60+ in India, 60+ in England, 50+ in South Africa and 45+ in Australia. He was a tougher character but not a better batsman than the Mighty #.

60+ in England?? I don't recall anyone having bigger dominance Vs England than Smith. Perhaps Dravid at same level. And Smith has won series with bat in Australia and drew in UAE. He failed only in India.

 

[Saffer_XIII]

Smith was a good fielder from my memory. One of the best at slip and had a very good arm. Admittedly he wasn't very quick across the field, he's a massive dude.

 

[Bilal7]

60+ in England?? I don't recall anyone having bigger dominance Vs England than Smith. Perhaps Dravid at same level. And Smith has won series with bat in Australia and drew in UAE. He failed only in India.

I was talking about all together. Smith has been brilliant, he is a bloody great player after all, however he hasn't had success in all the big countries while Amla has. Smith averaged just 40 in South Africa, IIRC.

 

[Saffer_XIII]

I was talking about all together. Smith has been brilliant, he is a bloody great player after all, however he hasn't had success in all the big countries while Amla has. Smith averaged just 40 in South Africa, IIRC.

Yeah, the biggest "away" bully ever.

 

[Bilal7]

Smith and Clive Lloyd are in the same category. ATG captains but not ATG batsmen, with all due respect.

 

[Bilal7]

Yeah, the biggest "away" bully ever.

Yeah, the whole South Africa team was, to an extent. Undefeated on the road but always seemed to lose to England or Australia at home. Great team.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Smith! No comparison. Amla would die to be as tough as Smith was.

Battled a nasty knee injury for last few years. He was the only one in the team who wasn't a choker. Raised the whole team's morale and was a beast in 3rd and 4th innings. He was deemed to fail in England, where he totally owned the English by his sheer determination and mental strength. Smith is one of the greatest openers and captains of all time.

 

[The_Odd_One]

This is a really tough one.

I will pick Amla because he's a better batsman of spin.