On 8 August 2019, Hashim Amla retired from all formats of international cricket.  Amla, a versatile batsman, made his international debut on 28 November 2004 in a test series against India in Kolkata, India. Amla broke various records throughout his international career; the very first of these was becoming the first South African of Indian descent to represent South Africa on the international stage. [1] In the 2012 test series against England, Amla became the first South African to surpass 300 runs in an innings when he scored 311 runs not out at The Oval, London. This record is yet to be broken.

After Graeme Smith’s (former captain of the Proteas) retirement in 2014, Amla endured a bumpy stint captaining the South African national cricket team, the Proteas--becoming the first Black player to do so in test matches. In January 2016, Amla stood down as captain following underwhelming team and individual performances. Amla remained an integral part of the team and his form gradually improved.

A stellar batsman in all formats, Amla made his debut in one-day-internationals (ODIs) in 2008 and has since become the fastest player to reach 2,000 runs, 3,000 runs, 4,000 runs, 5,000 runs, 6,000 runs and 7,001 runs in this limited-overs format. [2] In 2018, Amla was the recipient of the Order of Ikhamanga for his many record-breaking feats in the sport. Chancellor of National Orders, Dr Cassius Lubisi said of Amla, “He has brought pride to our country with his many batting firsts in the international cricket arena and remains one of the leading batsmen of our time.” [3]

Amla retires from cricket having represented South Africa in 124 Tests, 181 ODIs and 44 T20s (a limited overs form of cricket). In him the Proteas have lost a consistent and reliable performer on-field, and a role-model off-field.

End notes

[1] Press Trust of Indian, “Amla downplays his Indian connection,” Cricket Next, 9 December 2010, https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/amla-downplays-his-indian-connection-569234.html ↵

[2] For a more comprehensive list of Hashim Amla’s batting records see Jamie Alter, “Hashim Amla retires: Bearded wonder, barrier-breaker, record-setter and South African sporting icon,” Cricket Country, 9 August 2019, https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/hashim-amla-retires-bearded-wonder-barrier-breaker-record-setter-and-south-african-sporting-icon-877574 ↵

[3] Siviwe Breakfast, “Cricket: Hashim Amla granted national honour,” The South African, 24 April 2018. https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/cricket/hashim-amla-national-order-of-ikhamanga/ ↵

On 5 August 2019, Dale Steyn South African cricketer announced his retirement from the Test format. He made his Test debut against England in December 2004. In spite of his love and preference for Test cricket, Steyn made the decision to retire in order to prolong his playing career in the One Day International (ODI) and TwentyTwenty (T20) formats. In a statement he said, “It’s terrible to consider never playing another Test again but what’s more terrifying is the thought of never playing again at all. So I will be focusing on ODIs and T20s for the rest of my career to maximise my full potential and ensure my longevity in this sport." [1] Though the timing of this decision was unexpected, it is of little surprise to avid cricket fans, as a recurring shoulder injury had greatly limited his time on the field. This injury even forced him to withdraw from the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup held in England and Wales.

A right-arm fast bowler and opener, Steyn currently holds South Africa’s record for the leading Test wicket-taker, claiming 439 wickets in 93 Tests with an average of 22.95 and a strike rate of 42.3 balls per wicket--the average refers to the number of runs a bowler concedes per wicket taken. Steyn is also the 8th highest Test wicket-taker of all-time. Compared to other bowlers with a minimum of 300 wickets, Steyn has the lowest strike rate. To put his injury woes into further perspective, Steyn attained his 400th wicket in July 2015. This feat took him only 16 634 balls to obtain--faster than any other bowler in Test history. [2]

Despite the toll injuries have taken on his body and playing career, Steyn is revered by both his contemporaries and his predecessors, and cherished by fans. Known for his aggressive bowling style and his ability to swing the new ball and the old ball on various pitch conditions across the cricketing world, Steyn is considered by many to be the greatest fast bowler of his generation and arguably one of the greatest of all time.

End notes

[1] Siviwe Breakfast, “Dale Steyn retires: Fast bowler calls time on his Test career,” The South African, 6 August 2019. https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/cricket/dale-steyn-retires-fast-bowler-calls-time-on-test-career/. ↵

[2]Mohandas Menon, “Dale Steyn - Fastest to 400 Test wickets,” Sport 360, 30 July 2015, https://sport360.com/article/cricket/40186/360stats-dale-steyn-fastest-400-test-wickets ↵