Hashim Amla is one of the finest batsmen to have represented South Africa. The right-hander batsman has over 9000 test runs and over 8000 ODI runs. He is the second-highest run-getter in tests for his nation. Also, he happens to be the only South African to score a triple century in the longest format of the game. In this article, we will have a look at the top ten test knocks by this veteran batsman.
1. 139* Vs Srilanka
Hashim Amla scored his 22nd test century against Srilanka in the second test of the series between the two nations at Colombo. He faced 382 balls and hit a dozen of boundaries in his innings. He achieved this feat in the second innings of his team and remained unbeaten till the end.
2. 140 Vs India
In the first test match of the 3-match series between India and South Africa in late 2010 at Centurion, Amla played a fine knock of 140 runs off 202 balls in their first innings. He hit 14 boundaries and a six, striking at a rate of around 69. Thanks to his valuable knock and some other important contributions from the others, South Africa posted a mammoth 620 in their first innings. Eventually, the home side also won the match by an innings and 25 runs.
3. 149 Vs New Zealand
Amla scored his first-ever test century against the Black Caps in 2006 in the second test of the series at Cape Town. He scored this in the first innings of his side, facing 317 balls and hitting 20 boundaries before being dismissed by Daniel Vettori. The Proteas posted a total of 512 in their first innings, thanks to Amla’s important contribution. The match was played equally well by the two teams, hence it ended in a draw.
4. 159 Vs India
In 2008, India played against the Proteas in the first test of the 3-match series in the hot and humid city of Chennai. Coming out to bat first, Hashim Amla came to the crease at one wicket down and played a brilliant knock of 159 runs off 262 balls. He sent the ball to the boundary rope 20 times in his innings, helping the visitors to score 540 in their first innings. However, India also played brilliantly and hence the match ended in a draw.
5. 176* Vs New Zealand
Hashim Amla scored his maiden 150 in tests against New Zealand at Johannesburg in November, 2007. In the second innings of the match, South Africa was in a state of bother at one time, having lost two wickets for just twenty runs. It was then Hashim Amla came out to the crease and steadied the ship. Along with Jack Kallis, he scored a fine century to take the score past 400. He scored 176 off 378 balls, hitting 24 boundaries. This innings eventually came out to be an important one as the hosts propelled to a 358-run victory in the match.
6. 196 Vs Australia
Amla reached this milestone in the 3rd test of South Africa’s tour of Australia at WACA in late 2012. Coming out to bat in the second innings, he played this excellent innings off 221 balls, before being dismissed by Johnson, just 4 runs short of his double-century. He hit 21 boundaries and had an impressive strike-rate of about 88. The visitors won the match by 309 runs and Amla was adjudged the Man of the Match for his stunning knock.
7. 201 Vs England
Amla scored his 24th century and 4th double-century in tests, against England in the second test played between the two nations at Cape Town in January, 2016. In reply to England’s first innings total of 629, South Africa had lost an early wicket with just seven runs on the board. Amla came out in the middle and as usual, played a calm and composed innings. He faced 477 balls to reach to his double-century, hitting 27 boundaries. His fine knock helped his team post 627 runs in their first innings. The match eventually ended in a draw.
8. 208 Vs West Indies
The elegant batsman’s third test double-century came against the West Indies in December, 2014 at Centurion. As South Africa lost their second wicket, Amla came out in the middle and played a calm and composed knock of 208 runs. He faced 371 balls and hit 22 boundaries in his innings. This fine innings helped the Proteas post a huge first innings total of 552 runs on the board and eventually, they won the match by an innings and 220 runs. Hashim Amla was awarded the Man of the Match award for his invaluable contribution.
9. 253* Vs India
In 2010, South Africa visited India for a two-match test series. In the first test between these two heavy-weight teams at Nagpur, Zaheer Khan claimed two early wickets of the visitors in their first innings. During this period of crisis, Amla again played a crucial role to steady the African ship. He scored his first test double-century against a very strong Indian side, facing as many as 473 balls. His steady innings comprised 22 boundaries as the Indian bowlers failed to dismiss him. This knock proved to be a crucial one as it helped the visitors emerge victorious in the match by an innings and 6 runs. No wonder, Amla received the Man of the Match award for his stunning performance.
10. 311* Vs England
Hashim Amla’s career best of 311 and his first triple-century in tests came against England at the Oval in July, 2012. The visitors lost an early wicket with just one run on the board, which brought Amla to the crease. From there onwards, it was just a one-man show. He faced over 500 balls to reach his maiden triple-century. He sent the ball to the rope 35 times in his entire innings, and had a strike-rate of just over 58. Thanks to his massive contribution, South Africa established a massive lead in the first innings and eventually won the match as well. Amla was awarded the Man of the Match award.
