Five reasons why South Africa have remained unbeaten on the road since 2006

South Africa continue to remain unbeaten in a Test series away from home since 2006 with a resounding win over Pakistan by an innings and 92 runs in Dubai yesterday. What has made this gargantuan of a task possible? Inspite of their frailties against spin, they have given sub-continent teams a lot to ponder over, especially, India and Sri Lanka and that has made this feat even more delicious. We take a look at 5 factors that have contributed to their successful run away from home in Tests since 2006.

Hashim Amla

Without a shadow of doubt, Amla has not only been a prolific run-scorer for them but at times, you can’t think of a lot of batsmen around the world who have made runs at the rate he has done ever since his debut in 2004. He has been a staunch pillar around which South African batting has revolved and his ability to thwart the likes of Harbhajan, Muralitharan and even Ajmal in spinner-friendly conditions has been astonishing.

His habits before facing up to a delivery is infuriating, but his touch play and the way he uses his wrists to flick balls off his hip just makes him literally impossible to bowl to. Whenever South Africa have found themselves in a spot of bother, Amla has been the man to the rescue. For me, he has been the biggest factor due to which South Africa are No.1 and also, his capability to accumulate runs in any given conditions has been a blessing to South Africa even when the Kallises and Smiths have struggled. No wonder, he finds himself at No.1 in this list.