Very close to my assessment. I kept Sanga as second name on same line as of today, when he had finished his career, which includes his later age decline as well.
Ranking indeed is an indication of a player's consistency as other players in that same ranking are also measured with same formula/logic (no home & away consideration). But, Amla has very good average in AUS, ENG & Asia - which indicates, he actually was an all-round player - against bounce, swing & spin. He played a wonderful innings against Aussies, has a triple in UK & played two of the best ever rear guard innings in India & Srilanka.
But, even if I don't take WK as a consideration, this guy Sanga batted at #3 even in his late 30s & dominated the game. As of today, Hashim has 4/5 years of career left at least & by the age of 35/36; if he maintains his stats intact, I'll keep my opinion same as well. If he improves, I'll take him to a line above; but the opposite is true as well - he has to maintain this from No. 3; which even Viv & Greg didn't (dropped to 4 & 5 by the age of 31-32, Greg even earlier). The signs are not good actually - he has almost halved his stats in recent India tour, and initially struggled against England as well, at home.
In ODI; Amla has far better stats both in terms of average & SR; probably in ranking as well, but he is well behind Sanga, who was a true impact player in ODI. Hashim is an accumulator of highest order - his innings often fails to make it count, unless one of his team mate plays a clutch innings or bowlers defend it on a belter.
