Times Media
TELFORD VICE, Johannesburg
The International Cricket Council (ICC) have confirmed what fans have known since March - that Australia are a better test team than SA.
How much better? Stand by for a big small number: 0.3505434782609. That is the difference between Australia’s ratings points and SA’s in the latest ICC rankings.
Minuscule though the gap is numerically, its significance is that it ends SA’s reign as test cricket’s best team. They were on top from August, 2012 for 21 months and 15 tests, nine of them won, three drawn and three lost.
The fact that matches played between July, 2012 and March, 2013 now only carry half the weight they did previously has much to do with SA slipping to No. 2. They won eight of the 11 tests they played in that period.
The new rankings, which were released on Wednesday night, cover tests played since August, 2011. In that time, Australia have had 32 opportunities to shine. SA have played just 23 tests, fewer also than England and New Zealand.
None of which would have dissuaded seasoned cricket watchers that Australia were waxing and SA were waning when the teams clashed in this country in the second half of last summer.
Michael Clarke’s side, the stars sparked by their rousing reclamation of the Ashes still shining brightly in their eyes, played cleverer, braver and better cricket than Graeme Smith’s men and deserved their 2-1 win.
In boxing logic, Australia earned the No. 1 ranking by knocking over the champions. For once, the numbers and common sense added up.
“To be No. 1 in the world is important, and not only for the players,” former SA fast bowler Mfuneko Ngam said yesterday.
“It’s a big deal for all South Africans, and it’s important to maintain the standards of what you have built up.
“But losing the No. 1 ranking is not so bad, especially as it’s by such a small margin.”
Besides, SA could snatch the mantle back next season considering they will play four of their six tests against lesser lights Zimbabwe and West Indies. Their other two games, in Sri Lanka in July, promise to be more challenging.
How well SA adjust to the retirement of twin towers Jacques Kallis and Smith will make for a compelling subplot to the summer. That they will have to advance amid the unfriendly fire laced with unfairness and jealously that has been aimed at their coach, Russell Domingo, adds to the intrigue.
“The test side will take on a new shape now, especially with Kallis and Smith not being there,” Domingo said yesterday. “The main thing is getting the new leader in place and forging the relationship with him.
“It’s important that we pick the right person and that person has some time to get things in place the way he wants them.”
The only test cricket Australia are slated to play next season at this stage are two potentially tough matches against Pakistan in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
However, they have yet to announce their programme for the home summer and their future tours programme features four tests against India in December and January.
SA have also stumbled on the one-day ladder, where they are down a place to fifth. But they have risen three positions to fourth in the T20 stakes.
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