Hashim Amla is in the South African team purely based on reputation and due to the racial quota

[Slog]

Discuss...

Whats his record over last 2-3 years? He fails every Test series

 

[Abdullah719]

He looks to be past it since a while now.

If South Africa can find an adequate replacement, I think it's time to move on. Not sure about their upcoming batsmen.

 

[Junaids]

I agree, but the weird thing is that Temba Bavuma would improve the quota situation even more!

Amla was an excellent player, but is way past his best now.

 

[Fahdi]

pretty much

 

[TM Riddle]

Do they have a better replacement? Amla still commands respect on the pitch despite this horrible run.

 

[Poutine]

Weird time to open this thread considering he just scored a pretty important 50 in tough conditions.

 

[Protea Fan]

Weird time to open this thread considering he just scored a pretty important 50 in tough conditions.

Tough 50 yes

Amla in his best would have scored more freely and might have scored a big hundred here

 

[Protea Fan]

Do they have a better replacement? Amla still commands respect on the pitch despite this horrible run.

True this

He way past his midas touch but still worth something

 

[Adijazz1706]

3 50s in his last 5 inns is a pretty strange time to bring it up

 

[CricCrazyNick]

Form is Temporary, Class is Permanant

 

[notAgainPlease]

Faf is continuously failing and no one is talking about him ... weakest link in middle order is Faf for last 6 months

 

[Adijazz1706]

Can someone pull the stats on SA's batting the last 6 months or so so we can see who's doing what?

 

[Hasan123]

He's in the team due to his past reputation.

 

[sam_ahm]

Last one and a half year or so

v AUS so far 56, 8, 0 (Series is ongoing and he already has a 50, early to conclude)

V Ind 52, 61, 1, 82 4, 3 (How is this a failure series unless you expect a century game)

v ZIM 5

V BAN 132, 28, 137 (If this shouldn't be counted then don't count the 5 against Zimbabwe either)

V ENG 83, 30, 5, 6, 87, 78 (How is this a failed series!?)

V NZL 50, 38*, 21, 24, 1 (Probably a failed series)

V SLN 134, 0, 29, 48, 20 (Average series)

Before this he had a terrible tour of Australia where he didn't score a single 50 in 5 innings, and a fairly good home series against NZL where he scored 2 fifties in 3 innings

But despite all this I agree that overall Hash isn't as fluent as he was in his hey days, definitely on the decline and may retire after the WC next year.

 

[Smbhayi]

he's past his best: Agree
he's hanging there due to quote/past reputation: don't agree, not at all..

he's still one of their best bat. who's better bat than current SA line up, only Faf and ABD.

 

[shaz619]

Out of his best form but that's a bit harsh because he can still contribute at the world level

 

[Ab Fan]

Racial quota:- No
Reputation :- Yes

But then it takes something to make such reputation. This is why the likes of Amla, AB, Clarke, Younis and Cook have/had the license to play till they announce their retirement.

Same for MS Dhoni in odi format.

 

[wrongun]

It looks like he's still scoring consistently, he's just being judged a bit more harshly because he a Smith-like run a few years ago and now is back to earth as simply a good batsman. If one of his century conversions had come against India or Eng, I don't think we even have this thread.

If he's 5 more tests without a ton later this year, perhaps his position might be reconsidered.

But as it is, he's scoring consistently and has an immense record & experience to support his place purely on merit. Not a quota player yet, a guy that good you want to make damn sure it's a terminal decline and not just a form dip AND that you have someone to come in who will make a difference (e.g the only thing he is missing really ia a big ton vs a top team again).

 

[Ted123]

He was a great batsmen in test format back but he should retire now.

 

[Bilal7]

Past his best, yes, but in the team purely on past reputation is a pretty stupid statement.

 

[jnaveen1980]

If he is racial quota they need more from his race lol He contributed immensely as a batsman to South Africa. He is probably going through a patch or regressing. HE is still having decent enough numbers in the context.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

I don't think he should be dropped. He might have turned into an average batsman but he can still play important knocks every now and then. Is there really a replacement for him to begin with!l?

 

[The_Odd_One]

Faf is a total and complete passenger in their batting lineup. Amla has been their top player for several years and it takes time to drop such players.

 

[Dead Ball]

Great test player. Deserves a longer rope than other SA batsmen. He still chips in with some vital 50's but seems to have lost the ability to score big hundred.

 

[Chrish]

Temba is..

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Amla is due a huge one. I'd have him in my team when that happens.

 

[WildSwing]

He's been averaging less than 40 in the last 4 years, surely there are better batsmen in south africa who can perform better than what amla's producing in the last few years.

 

[Adijazz1706]

Far better than Bavuma and de Bruyn and given Faf's struggles, Amla ain't goin anywhere

 

[Ikball]

Can someone pull the stats on SA's batting the last 6 months or so so we can see who's doing what?

 

[Rayyman]

If he continues to struggle, then should move down the order to #5 or 6.

 

[fawad_wellwisher]

He still plays good enough to easily make the Pakistan test team!

 

[Slog]

He still plays good enough to easily make the Pakistan test team!

You're correct. He'll fit in well with the other mediocre batsmen in the Pak test team

 

[Ab Fan]

Faf is continuously failing and no one is talking about him ... weakest link in middle order is Faf for last 6 months

There is no fun in that

 

[backfootpunch]

Past it but better than what Alistair Cook is producing who should be the first to retire if he doesn't deliver soon.

 

[MenInG]

Solid as a rock and and a role model for Pakistan batsmen.

 

[Slog]

This

 

[hadi123]

I feel for him, he's really faded away, was a world class batsman in his peak

 

[big_gamer007]

This quota system will ruin SA cricket. There should not be any quota anywhere at the top positions, only merit

 

[satheesh]

Amla is a prime example of my belief that not all players can be bestowed upon with having to cope with same amount of pressure just because all is playing the world cup. I think the batsman who had to carry the largest amount of pressure has been Amla. SAF had never won a world cup despite being a strong team ever since they got reentry into cricket,chokers tag, the senior most batsman in the team, all ready having a reputation of not at all being that well in absorbing pressure all where hanging on his shoulders.
All these together were too much for him and he paid the price.

 

[Surya Kiran]

It saddens me as a cricket lover but I reckon he is on his last legs as a cricketer.

Great human being and a thorough gentleman

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Always been overrated. At least not as irritating as Tahir "Uncle Tom"