England paceman James Anderson says Hashim Amla is one of the toughest batsmen he’s ever bowled to.

It comes as no surprise that the praise has come from an English bowler. Amla averages 56.21 from the 17 Tests he’s played against the English, with his 311 not out in 2012 being South Africa’s highest-ever individual score. He also returned to form with 201 against them at the beginning of 2016 at Newlands.

Chatting in the Sky Sports studios alongside legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne this past weekend, the two Ashes foes discussed their most difficult opponents in the Test arena. Warne singled out West Indian Brian Lara, as well as Sachin Tendulkar, but he also gave honourable mentions to Kevin Pietersen and former Protea Jacques Kallis.

Anderson opted for former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting and Amla.

‘I’d put Ponting right up there, especially in Australian conditions,’ Anderson said.

‘Basically, he’ll hit you off your length and made it really difficult for you to settle as a bowler.

‘Now, Hashim Amla is right up there too – he’s very difficult to bowl at, especially in Test cricket.’

Anderson, fifth in the ICC bowling rankings, is England’s all-time leading wicket-taker with 467 wickets from his 122 matches. He will come up against Amla once again in their four-Test series starting on July 6.

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