Analyzing the downfall of Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla belongs to the league of superstars of the game. More than 9000 Test runs with 28 centuries to ensure his place in the pantheon of cricket. Whatever the conditions, whoever the opponents, Amla spared nothing.
From embracing tough conditions at home to defying stern testing in the sub-continent, Amla plundered mammoth scores at will. His equally-penetrative performances in Australia and England further validate his stature in this sport.
In 4 countries; Australia, England, India and South Africa, Hashim Amla has averaged 50.61 in 97 Tests with 25 centuries. In the whole history of the game, only 10 batsmen including Amla, have averaged in excess of 50 in the above-mentioned countries with the cut-off of 20 hundreds.
At some point of time in his career, Amla was reckoned among the batsmen who could challenge the records of Sachin Tendulkar. But, a dip in form that is getting prolonged for Amla now, has hurt his numbers badly.
Let's have a look at how Amla's numbers have gone down:
Decreased conversion rate:
Till the year 2014, Hashim Amla had a staggering conversion rate. Then, he had scored 23 centuries and 27 half-centuries in Test cricket; with a conversion rate of 0.46 at his disposal. He was among the best when it came to turning a good start into a century. Since the start of the year 2015, Amla has scored 5 centuries and 14 half-centuries; owning a conversion rate of 0.26.
As an aggregate, now Amla's conversion rate in Test cricket counts 0.40. His last six fifty-plus scores have not yielded a single hundred.
Plummeting batting average:
At one stage in his career, Amla's Test batting average was an attractive 52.78. After a continued run of unimpressive outings, it has gone down to 47.10 at the moment. In his last 41 tests; Amla has averaged a modest 37.86 runs per dismissal.
The poor conversion has a say in the dipping of his batting average because he has been failing to convert good starts into big scores. Since the start of the year 2015, he crossed fifty-plus mark 19 times in 72 innings, but, only 5 times could he get a century.
A decline in performance against big teams:
In his illustrious career, Amla has been a batsman who rose to the occasion against greater challenges, more often than not. But, since the above-mentioned period, he has failed against most of the big teams.
Out of his last 5 Test centuries, 3 have come against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the two sides with some of the least inspired bowling performances in South Africa.
Though he scored a couple of centuries against England but failed drastically against India and Australia. Average of 22.61 and 24.69 against Australia and India respectively is ominous. His average of 25.03 on away soil in the period under consideration is accrediting the disaster.