Originally posted by CrowleyCongrats! SA deserve it.
Finally South Africa is ranked no.1 in both ODIs and tests (with some people rating us as the no.1 T20 side too).
This honour was delayed by two Mitchell Johnson deliveries earlier in the season, but England did us a favour and won the Ashes, propelling us into first position and moving Australia down to 4...
We all knew this, of course, but it's nice to have it official.
Originally posted by karoly aczelGreame Smith and Hashim Amla are both getting decent runs.
Congrats! SA deserve it.
Aussies ans England were pretty ordinary in ashes.
Who's the best South African players at the moment?
(And why are they called the Proteas? )
Originally posted by Crowleybeer in the hand and gorgous woman streaker on the pitch.. gotta have 'em. Fair makes the summer.
Greame Smith and Hashim Amla are both getting decent runs.
Ashwell Prince and AB de Villiers are 2 of the best fielders in the world at the moment, and both are good batsmen.
Mark Boucher still as solid as ever behind the stumps and as good with the bat.
Dale Steyn is rated as the no.1 test bowler, with Ntini still hanging around in the top 10 and Paul Ha ...[text shortened]... st all-rounder the game has ever seen since Sir Garfield Sobers.
What more can a fan ask for?
Originally posted by CrowleyYeah sure.. congratulations to South Africa for finding themselves at number 1 in tests now too. However, they have arrived there pretty much by default as the Aussies have fallen over. It would be much better if they went out and seized the number 1 position by knocking off the current number 1 team. Back when the Aussies got to the number 1 position, they prized it away from the West Indies with a hard fought series win. To me, that is much more gratifying than just finding yourself there at number 1.
Finally South Africa is ranked no.1 in both ODIs and tests (with some people rating us as the no.1 T20 side too).
This honour was delayed by two Mitchell Johnson deliveries earlier in the season, but England did us a favour and won the Ashes, propelling us into first position and moving Australia down to 4...
We all knew this, of course, but it's nice to have it official.
Originally posted by karoly aczelI'd hate to point this out.. but SA did beat the Aussies in Australia. That was last summer. How'd ya miss it? I was on the other side of the world and still caught up with it!
(Come beat the Aussies in Aus. Where the pitches are fair for both teams. Then you will be truly no.1)
Originally posted by AussieGCrap!!!! My memory is just a dry old bastard with nowhere to turn and no excuses left! AAAGGGHHH!!!
I'd hate to point this out.. but SA did beat the Aussies in Australia. That was last summer. How'd ya miss it? I was on the other side of the world and still caught up with it!
Originally posted by AussieGWe would have, if it weren't for those two Johnson deliveries breaking Smith's finger in two tests.
It would be much better if they went out and seized the number 1 position by knocking off the current number 1 team.
Originally posted by CrowleyI'm thinking about the world cricket rankings.
Finally South Africa is ranked no.1 in both ODIs and tests (with some people rating us as the no.1 T20 side too).
This honour was delayed by two Mitchell Johnson deliveries earlier in the season, but England did us a favour and won the Ashes, propelling us into first position and moving Australia down to 4...
We all knew this, of course, but it's nice to have it official.
Originally posted by Red NightTests and ODIs are rated separately.
I'm thinking about the world cricket rankings.
how deep do they go?
Is there a top 10
top 5
top 7
obviously australia, RSA, india, West indies, pakistan, new zealand?, england.
Who else makes therankings? do they play anywhere else?
Originally posted by CrowleyYeah? So what? What's the big deal? Beating Australia these days is nowhere near as difficult as it used to be. Most of the players that made the Aussies a great side are gone. So to beat them now is much easier.. You make it sound like playing Australia is a very tough ask!
and is doubled by the fact that you are playing Australia.
Originally posted by AussieGSure, you guys are building a team again with a bunch of newcomers and some of the older players seem out of form.
Yeah? So what? What's the big deal? Beating Australia these days is nowhere near as difficult as it used to be. Most of the players that made the Aussies a great side are gone. So to beat them now is much easier.. You make it sound like playing Australia is a very tough ask!
Originally posted by CrowleyWell, that is interesting.. to hear that those outside of this country still think that Australia is still a formidable team. I don't see it that way.. and the general feel is that there is no "aura" about our team any more - fair enough too. The biggest thing that we have is a strong competitive spirit.. very much like the South Africans. So whether you're a good team or not, to have a good competitive spirit will always force teams to bring their best game to win - can't ask for much more than that!
Sure, you guys are building a team again with a bunch of newcomers and some of the older players seem out of form.
The void left by the likes of Warne, McGrath, Gilly, Hayden and some others would be a great loss for any team, losing them all at basically the same time is disastrous.
Still, the Australia team has that Tiger Woods aura where just playin ...[text shortened]... just know you are one mistake away from the talented Australians taking the game away from you.