Sportskeeda Cricket Awards 2016: Countdown to the Cricketer of the Year

Modified Dec 29, 2016 21:39 IST

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Dinesh Chandimal of Sri Lanka bats during the Natwest International T20 match between England and Sri Lanka at Ageas Bowl on July 5, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) — Chandimal is now a key member of the Sri Lankan bating unit

#17 Hashim Amla

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 28: Hashim Amla of South Africa during day 3 of the 1st Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at St George's Park on December 28, 2016 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images) — Amla tries to play one down the ground

He has been South Africa’s batting talisman for some time now. Be it Tests, ODIs or T20s, Amla has been a consistent performer at the top of the order.

In 2016, however, Amla played just nine games as he was sidelined due to multiple injuries. And whenever he returned to the first XI, he struggled. But he still managed to gather 729 runs in nine matches with the highest score of 201. His average with the bat was still at a healthy 48.60.

For a man who made his debut way back in 2004 maybe the age and the toil is catching up but he would still hope to have a better 2017.