Amla modest about top rankings

Hashim Amla. Picture: Rogan Ward/Reuters

Hashim Amla occupies the top spot in both the test and one-day rankings, but would not call himself the best batsman in the team.

Amla’s 74 not out in the second innings of South Africa’s 211-run win over Pakistan yesterday elevated him above Australian Michael Clarke to the top of the test batting rankings.

It also made him the first man since former Australia captain Ricky Ponting in December 2007 to top both the test and one-day batting tables.

The 29-year-old, however, remained characteristically modest.

“It’s been a great year for our squad and to be honest I still don’t think that I am the best batsman in our team,” he said.

“What has been most pleasing though for us has been the all-round contribution from everyone in the squad. That has been the main reason for our success over the last few years.”

The Proteas have two more batsmen in the top 10: AB de Villiers in fourth and Jacques Kallis, who tops the all-rounders’ list, in seventh.

Their dominance in tests was reflected in the bowling chart as well, with Dale Steyn extending his lead at the top following his 11-60 at the Wanderers, and Vernon Philander still second and Morne Morkel in ninth.

- Reuters