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[Cover_Drive]

Triggered by Essex's following post;

....Du Plessis and Samuels are the two most improved cricketers I have seen in a long time.

I would say Hashim Amla is the first name that comes to my mind.

Have a look at this video where Nasser Hussein talks about his technique over the years.

Nasir Hussain on Hashim Amla, 22 July 2012

Mohammad Hafeez is another player who has significantly improved, when he made his debut he was hailed as worst all-rounder in Pakistan's history.

[400notout]

Would agree with Hafeez definitely!

[Riddy]

matt prior.

[400notout]

Prior possibly classed in the under rated players as well?!

[mattw]

Prior possibly classed in the under rated players as well?!

Under rated in the test arena, however I wish people would stop talking about him playing in the shorter formats for Eng. His record speaks for itself, he's had too many chances already and it showed when he played in the big bash.

[Old boy]

Amla, Phil Hughes (probably needs a couple more games to really be on hear). I'd have to also put Michael Clarke in there, just look at his 2012 stats vs his other years if test cricket. He just seems to have gone to another level since becoming captain.

[shoab68]

Really impressed with Hafeez.

[Manormanic]

In the international arena, Samuels is the most matured player (spat with Warne notwithstanding) - he always had the talent but has learned how to make the most of it at last.  The most improved is a tough one - Steve Finn or Peter Siddle spring to mind...

[The_Bird]

Shane Watson was a very average cricketer when he started out, ok his test record isn't amazing but he is a world class one day player.

[03jaworf]

Under rated in the test arena, however I wish people would stop talking about him playing in the shorter formats for Eng. His record speaks for itself, he's had too many chances already and it showed when he played in the big bash.

His stock as a ODI player has increased only because he isn't there and Kieswetter etc have struggled, always remember him being useless in the one day game trying to smack every ball.
Agreed though he has improved a great deal in the Test game not in the least his keeping which was a bit of a laughing stock when he first came into the side.

[SelectCricket]

Agree with all of your comments, definately prior is one of the possibilities for me.

When he first came into the side, I didn't think he could catch a cold!
Now, in my opinion, he is one of the best keeper/batsmen in the world, right up there with sangakarra for me.

[Gelds]

I would like to throw James Anderson's name into the mix. Although he burst on the scene and did ok, after 12 months playing for England he was terrribly inconsistent and expensive. Part of this was probably down to overcoaching but since he got back in the side in around 2008 he hasn't looked back and is probably the 2nd best seam bowler in the world (after Steyn).
Matt Prior, as mentioned above, has also improved beyond recognition with bat and gloves from his 2007 horror show