An elegant, stroke-filled player blessed with the temperament to make the most of his talent, Hashim Amla is the first South African of Indian descent to reach the national squad. His grandparents made the journey from India to Surat in Gujarat many years ago, and he shares the same penchant for wristy leg-side flicks which ooze off his bat. His elevation to the South Africa side was a poorly kept secret after he reeled off four centuries in his first eight innings of the 2004-05 season, after being appointed captain of the Dolphins (formerly Natal) at the tender age of 21. His older brother by four years, Ahmed, made his first-class debut two seasons before Hashim, but there is little doubt that the younger Amla is the better player. He is also a devout Muslim whose requests to have logos promoting alcohol removed from his playing gear have been successful so far. Amla toured New Zealand with the South African Under-19 team in 2000-01, he captained South Africa at the 2002 Under-19 World Cup, and after starring for the A team, made his Test debut against India in 2004-05. He was not an instant success, with serious questions emerging about his technique as he mustered 36 runs in four innings against England later that season. When he was handed a second chance he made it count with 149 against New Zealand at Cape Town, helping guide South Africa to a draw. He remained a consistent performer, if not as prolific as South Africa would like, with fifties against Pakistan in 2007, but saved his best for the following tour to India where he racked up 307 runs in the three Tests. It included a majestic 159 in Chennai, his second score of 150 or more. A quiet man, there is no doubting his hunger.

He remains a candidate to become South Africa's second non-white Test captain after Ashwell Prince, and possesses the most impressive beard in all the game.
Will Luke June 2008

• Prince underlines his worth (Jul 19, 2008)
  
• Series catches light with controversy (Jul 18, 2008)
  
• England hit back after lowly batting display (Jul 18, 2008)
  
• Pitch battle falls flat (Jul 14, 2008)
  
• Hot water and towels (Jul 14, 2008)
  

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Jul 19, 2008 Darren Pattinson celebrates his maiden Test wicket, that of Hashim Amla © Getty Images

Jul 18, 2008 Michael Vaughan and Andrew Flintoff wait for the verdict on whether Hashim Amla was caught © Getty Images

Jul 18, 2008 Got him or not? Michael Vaughan thinks he's snapped Hashim Amla, who walks off... only to return © Getty Images

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