Proteas aim to defend top-dog status
Proteas captain Graeme Smith and coach Mickey Arthur on Monday paid tribute to the hard work their squad had put in to achieve the number-one ranking in both Test match and one-day cricket, but warned the road ahead would be a testing one.
The Proteas have held the top ranking in ODI cricket for several months now, and gained the top Test ranking on the weekend when their predecessors, Australia, lost the Ashes series against England 2-1.
South Africa are now ranked one, followed by Sri Lanka, India, Australia and England, in that order.
“The players deserve it for the hard work they have put in over the past two years and the outstanding results that have been achieved,” commented Smith.
“We want to hold on to this ranking for as long as possible.
“The top ranking also comes with added responsibilities to the game.
“I am really looking forward to the approaching home Castle Test series against England, which promises to be intense and exciting after the latter’s success against Australia,” he added.
Arthur also congratulated the players on what they had achieved.
“The results have been outstanding with the away series wins in Australia and England, the home and away series wins over Pakistan and the home series win over India, plus the drawn series over there.”
He added a note of caution, however. “It is one thing to become the world number one—it’s even harder to stay there and we must make sure we are on our mettle for England at the end of the year.”—Sapa
