Man of Steel

Hashim Amla

159 off 128 balls; when you read Hasim Amla's score out loud you tend to imagine a ferocious innings with cross-batted whips and strokes down-the-track with the player dripping in Canberra's humid conditions. The South African's innings though depicted anything but that. The way Amla casually nudged the singles seemed like magic. It was like watching a calm craftsman at work, with his hands producing a creation ever so special. After reaching his century, courtesy of a gentle push down the ground, Amla gently lifted his bat and acknowledged the crowd. There wasn't any overreaction, no relief and neither was there a fist-thump; and he eventually went on to smack 50 more runs. It's a sign that Amla is hungry for more and that's not particularly good news for the rest of sides.