Proteas on top of the world

[Nutty_ZA]

Proteas on top of the world

Johannesburg - Australia's 10-wicket loss to New Zealand in the first of the three-match Chappell-Hadlee ODI series in Wellington on Friday morning is South Africa's gain.

South Africa are now joint leaders in the International Cricket Council ODI standings, with 128 points each.

If Australia lose another match in the series, South Africa will be sole leaders in the rankings, with just weeks to go before the start of the World Cup in the West Indies.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith said the Proteas were not daunted by the implications of the number one ranking.

"When the team realised they were that close to being number one, no-one was scared of it.

"When we talked about it before the last game (against Pakistan), you could feel the excitement and the feel that all the hard work we had put in had been worth it," said Smith.

"The World Cup is the same. We don't mind carrying the tag of being World Cup favourites. In the World Cup environment, it doesn't make you a better team than Australia. You've still got to perform on every given day that you play.

"But to be the number one team in the world is a huge feather in our caps.

"And it's recognition of the way we've performed over the last two years, and the way everyone in the team has contributed. So yes, we're excited, and we're also excited about our prospects in the World Cup.

"If we can be number one team in the world, and also win the World Cup, that would be awesome for everybody."

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Thanks also largely to England thrashing OZ in the CB series =D> \/

[mcauleyab]

The last few weeks really has seen a king-size cans of worms opened in the cricket world. South Africa heading to the top of the rankings, England winning a series, New Zealand recovering form, Australia in free-fall and suffering major injury worries...and let's not forget about India or Sri Lanka. World Cup is a very open prospect now. Roll on March!

[Hyno]

That always cracks me up. In the one day series with England Australia only lost a few games, but due to the stupid idea of a "finals series" England win the trophy. Have a look at the table for that series!!!

The games in New Zealand we sent Australia A. No Ponting, Gilchrist, Lee just to name a few.

Glad to see SA up top though, they have a great one day game.

[Nutty_ZA]

Originally Posted by Hyno

That always cracks me up. In the one day series with England Australia only lost a few games, but due to the stupid idea of a "finals series" England win the trophy. Have a look at the table for that series!!!

I have to agree with you there... they did away with this format in the Local domestic competition this year for that very reason...

It happened in the Supersport Cup last season... so, from this season on, there is no final, the team with the most points takes it...

Originally Posted by Hyno

The games in New Zealand we sent Australia A. No Ponting, Gilchrist, Lee just to name a few.

Again, agreed but if Oz wanted to rest players for the WC they knew they ran the risk of losing top spot in the world rankings... obvioulsy they feel that preparing for the WC is more important??? Big psychological boost for South Africa tho...

Originally Posted by Hyno

Glad to see SA up top though, they have a great one day game.

Thanks

[TheGuru]

Hell0 is it working now?

[Hyno]

It certainly looks like it's working, but stuffed if I can work out the icons.

The trial matches for the world cup have given no insight. How's that Bermuda dude!!! I thought Ranatunga was big.