The Hindu : Sport : Amla: displaying skill and composure in every innings

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 13, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport

Amla: displaying skill and composure in every innings

Amla has dealt comfortably with pace and spin alike, writes
Peter Roebuck

Hashim Amla’s serene progress in this Test series has been an object lesson for highly regarded locals. Amla has displayed skill and composure in every innings and often it has taken an exceptional ball or bad luck to remove him. He has been able to build upon consistent opening partnerships, thereby easing the path for his replacements. Throughout he has looked every inch a Test batsman. On two fronts it has been a substantial achievement.

Meeting the challenge

Not every young batsman can meet the challenge of batting at first wicket down in Test cricket. Those occupying this position must be phlegmatic and adaptable, ready to take guard in the second over or in the second session, face pace or spin, to attack or settle. It is an awkward but influential appointment.

But Amla’s achievements are not merely a matter of location on the list. Not every emerging player scores runs on his first sub-continental Test series. After all it is a different experience from walking to the crease in Durban with its damp pitches and threatening clouds. Hereabouts batsmen can expect to encounter the sort of turning tracks India tends to produce when pressed. But Amla has dealt comfortably with pace and spin alike, stroking the ball away in the manner of a doting owner massaging a favourite cat.

Of course it will not have escaped locals that Amla has Indian ancestry. In all probability he is the most promising young Indian batsman in the world. Although the irony may be lost on sweating fieldsmen and frustrated selectors, his progress has been illuminating in several respects.

Clearly Amla’s breakthrough confirms the rising confidence of Indian communities stationed overseas. Trapped betwixt and between, expatriate families in South Africa had previously tended to mind their own businesses. In recent years, though, an Indian woman of considerable distinction was elected Speaker in the Parliament, a duty she performed so fearlessly that presently she was moved along. She now serves as Chancellor of Kwa-Zulu Natal’s leading University. Although it dies hard, Indian insularity is a thing of the past. It is the same in England, with Monty Panesar taking wickets and brown skinned leg-spinners representing Yorkshire.

Confronting issue

But Amla’s emergence also raises a more confronting issue for Indian officials. Certainly it ought to worry them that in 10 years India has not produced a young batsman to match him. Accordingly officials ought to examine his path to the top and in particular the forces that shaped his temperament and technique. After all he resembles one of those unknown twin brother raised in a different culture whose discovery has such a profound effect on scientists.

Amla grew up in a solid, professional middle-class family, midway between privilege and poverty. He attended Durban High School, a strong cricketing school with sturdy traditions. Although destined for cricket, he completed his schooling and matriculated before trying his luck in his chosen field. He left school as a mature unspoilt and mostly unknown lad whose batting abilities were recognised but whose riches were few. Certainly he was not pursued by sponsors or spotlight.

From an early age Amla commanded respect amongst peers and seniors and before long he was asked to captain his province. Presently he was also pushed into the National side by officials under pressure to produce a mixed line-up. In both cases the promotion proved to be premature but Amla kept his head and finally his time came.

It is a simple, unremarkable story that ought to be heard a lot more in this country.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport