Sachin Tendulkar has been around for such a long time in professional cricket that sometimes people forget how good he really is.
We've seen so many generations of "the next big thing" and yet 20 years after he made his test debut, Sachin is able to blast 200 in a One Day International against one of the premier ODI lineups in South Africa.
15 November 1989, Tendulkar went out to bat against Pakistan in Karachi and in a display of sheer bloody-mindedness he stands up after being hit in the face by a Waqar Younis quick delivery. He was eventually out for 57.
24 February 2010 Tendulkar went out to bat against some of the worlds best fast bowlers and he proceeded to smash 200 not out.
It really is phenomenal stuff. Thanks for the awesome memories and contribution to the game Sachin!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Hashim Amla - greatest ever?
There is an interesting post on the SA Cricket Blog where Shaun asks whether or not Hashim Amla is the best batsman ever produced... sorry let me correct that...
... his headline says: "Hashim Amla, the greatest batsman that South Africa has produced" and then in the post he writes: "I’m of the opinion that Hashim Amla will become the highest scoring Test batsman that South Africa has ever produced."
There's an important distinction that needs to be made there because highest scoring versus greatest are two very different categories.
"Greatest" batsman ever will always be a contentious issue. You will always remember the positives about the batsman you watch and the guy you remember scoring the winning runs / digging you out of trouble when the chips were down. One generation for instance will always remember the Pollocks of the world.
Me, I think that the Gary Kirsten and Graeme Smith are the two greatest batters SA has produced. Others like Amla while others say that AB De Villiers will still go on to be the greatest. At the moment Amla's record speaks for itself.
At the moment De Villiers, Amla and even Smith to some extent live in the shadow of Jacques Kallis. Have a look at the great mans record below and you will see what I mean! 21000+ runs for South Africa - a true servant of the game.
I dunno - I think it would be an interesting debate. Who is the best and what have they done to get there?
Here is some food for thought in terms of stats for Amla, Smith, Kallis and Kirsten:
Hashim Amla
Age: 26
Test runs: 3261
Average: 47.26
ODI runs: 848
Average: 47.11
Graeme Smith
Age: 29
Test runs: 6799
Average: 49
ODI runs: 5613
Average: 40.47
Jacques Kallis
Age: 34
Test runs: 10843
Average: 54.76
ODI runs: 10498
Average: 45.44
Gary Kirsten
Age: No longer playing
Test runs: 7239
Average: 45.27
ODI runs: 6798
Average: 40.95
They're all awesome cricketers that's for sure.
... his headline says: "Hashim Amla, the greatest batsman that South Africa has produced" and then in the post he writes: "I’m of the opinion that Hashim Amla will become the highest scoring Test batsman that South Africa has ever produced."
There's an important distinction that needs to be made there because highest scoring versus greatest are two very different categories.
"Greatest" batsman ever will always be a contentious issue. You will always remember the positives about the batsman you watch and the guy you remember scoring the winning runs / digging you out of trouble when the chips were down. One generation for instance will always remember the Pollocks of the world.
Me, I think that the Gary Kirsten and Graeme Smith are the two greatest batters SA has produced. Others like Amla while others say that AB De Villiers will still go on to be the greatest. At the moment Amla's record speaks for itself.
At the moment De Villiers, Amla and even Smith to some extent live in the shadow of Jacques Kallis. Have a look at the great mans record below and you will see what I mean! 21000+ runs for South Africa - a true servant of the game.
I dunno - I think it would be an interesting debate. Who is the best and what have they done to get there?
Here is some food for thought in terms of stats for Amla, Smith, Kallis and Kirsten:
Hashim Amla
Age: 26
Test runs: 3261
Average: 47.26
ODI runs: 848
Average: 47.11
Graeme Smith
Age: 29
Test runs: 6799
Average: 49
ODI runs: 5613
Average: 40.47
Jacques Kallis
Age: 34
Test runs: 10843
Average: 54.76
ODI runs: 10498
Average: 45.44
Gary Kirsten
Age: No longer playing
Test runs: 7239
Average: 45.27
ODI runs: 6798
Average: 40.95
They're all awesome cricketers that's for sure.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Fair result
1-1 was a fair result for this test series... but geez it was achingly close!
I really thought that Hashim Amla and Morne Morkel were going to hang on for those last few overs. But it was not to be and kudos to India for fighting to the end.
This was good quality test match cricket!
Although having said that, both sides really did blow hot and cold over the series. Amla was brilliant through the series, but he was the only one to really stamp his authority down on the game - he really was an asset for the side.
Big question marks continue to hang over Ashwell Prince and JP Duminy. They can't buy runs at the moment. It was really encouraging to see Alviro Petersen making the step up to test cricket - he's going to be pushing hard for a place and one has to wonder whether it will be Prince or Duminy who gets the boot?
And now for the ODI's - should be brilliant.
I really thought that Hashim Amla and Morne Morkel were going to hang on for those last few overs. But it was not to be and kudos to India for fighting to the end.
This was good quality test match cricket!
Although having said that, both sides really did blow hot and cold over the series. Amla was brilliant through the series, but he was the only one to really stamp his authority down on the game - he really was an asset for the side.
Big question marks continue to hang over Ashwell Prince and JP Duminy. They can't buy runs at the moment. It was really encouraging to see Alviro Petersen making the step up to test cricket - he's going to be pushing hard for a place and one has to wonder whether it will be Prince or Duminy who gets the boot?
And now for the ODI's - should be brilliant.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Feel good story
There is a fantastic story today on The Times Live website today around Hashim Amla and I think this is the kind of story that South Africa needs to hear more of.
For those of you with a little bit of a memory you will remember that there was quite an outcry when Hashim Amla was selected to first play for the Proteas. The issue that was raised at the time was that he requested not to wear the logo of the South African Breweries (the national team sponsor) because ultimately it was against his religious beliefs.
It raised some issues because a lot of people felt that he was setting a bad precedent and could ultimately damage SAB's relationship with cricket.
However SAB relented and it the sport has been graced by a fantastic cricketer... even if Dean Jones did once infamously call him a terrorist on national television.
I won't lie - when Amla first came on the scene I didn't think he was good enough to play such a critical role in the team. I thought he would be technically found wanting against genuine quick bowlers and wouldn't be able to hold his place.
Earlier this week he moved into the top 10 batsmen in the world after his double century against India and another century in the second test. He's a good player.
He has an average just under 45. He has scored a double century and has multiple centuries against India and England. He has not got one against Australia yet but hopefully that will change in the not too distant future.
Even ODI cricket (which he hasn't played a lot of) he has an average over 45.
On behalf of South African cricket we thank a great cricketer for a great contribution to the team and our enjoyment as fans!
How bizarre is this cricket?!
They say that cricket is a funny old game and this second test match between India and South Africa just highlights it!
One moment Alviro Petersen and Hashim Amla were cruising along with both of them smashing centuries and the next moment we are 257/8 with De Villiers (12), Price (1), Duminy (0), Harris (1) all going cheaply.
So much for Ashwell Prince anchoring the middle-order!
It is good to see India fighting back like this. It would have been a bit miserable if we had simply steam-rollered them into submission like we did in the first test.
Kudo's to Petersen making a century on debut - he's played nicely.
One moment Alviro Petersen and Hashim Amla were cruising along with both of them smashing centuries and the next moment we are 257/8 with De Villiers (12), Price (1), Duminy (0), Harris (1) all going cheaply.
So much for Ashwell Prince anchoring the middle-order!
It is good to see India fighting back like this. It would have been a bit miserable if we had simply steam-rollered them into submission like we did in the first test.
Kudo's to Petersen making a century on debut - he's played nicely.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Well this is exciting cricket news!
The Cape Cobras today announced plans to become part of the world’s first global and continental sports franchise, linking up with teams from four other leading cricket nations.
Western Cape Cricket Chairman Mohamed Ebrahim and Chief Executive Andre Odendaal flew to London last night to discuss an agreement which will bring together the Rajasthan Royals of India, the Hampshire Hawks of England, Trinidad and Tobago of the West Indies, the Cape Cobras and one of the top Australian teams, soon to be announced.
The deal will apply to Twenty20 cricket in the five countries.
Details of the planned super-franchise, Royals2020, were announced at a press conference at Lord’s in London this afternoon.
Odendaal said that the partnership would have big benefits for the franchise, the players and the Cobras’ supporters, provided that all the details could be worked out.
“We have been talking about and developing this initiative for well over a year,” said Odendaal. “If formal agreements can be reached in the next few weeks, this new ‘family’ will be opening up a whole new path in cricket. The partners will continue to operate as they do at present in domestic cricket but with the benefits of working together.
Gerald Majola, CSA CEO, said: “CSA endorses this initiative and is confident that all stakeholders will conclude the details.
“This global link up will have benefits for the Cape Cobras through the injection of new funds and new energies that will bring further cricket development to the region and ultimately to South African cricket.
“The parties concerned are to be congratulated on this creative dimension to our sport. It is yet another bonus in this exciting era for domestic players to compete in the global arena”.
Western Cape Cricket Chairman Mohamed Ebrahim and Chief Executive Andre Odendaal flew to London last night to discuss an agreement which will bring together the Rajasthan Royals of India, the Hampshire Hawks of England, Trinidad and Tobago of the West Indies, the Cape Cobras and one of the top Australian teams, soon to be announced.
The deal will apply to Twenty20 cricket in the five countries.
Details of the planned super-franchise, Royals2020, were announced at a press conference at Lord’s in London this afternoon.
Odendaal said that the partnership would have big benefits for the franchise, the players and the Cobras’ supporters, provided that all the details could be worked out.
“We have been talking about and developing this initiative for well over a year,” said Odendaal. “If formal agreements can be reached in the next few weeks, this new ‘family’ will be opening up a whole new path in cricket. The partners will continue to operate as they do at present in domestic cricket but with the benefits of working together.
Gerald Majola, CSA CEO, said: “CSA endorses this initiative and is confident that all stakeholders will conclude the details.
“This global link up will have benefits for the Cape Cobras through the injection of new funds and new energies that will bring further cricket development to the region and ultimately to South African cricket.
“The parties concerned are to be congratulated on this creative dimension to our sport. It is yet another bonus in this exciting era for domestic players to compete in the global arena”.
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