Date:01/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/01/stories/2009010155752000.htm

Sport - Cricket

No. 1 spot for S. Africa only after clean sweep

Dubai: South Africa will reclaim the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings only if Graeme Smith’s men manage a 3-0 whitewash against Australia by winning the final Test in Sydney. On the other hand, a draw would be enough for Australia to extend its stay at the top of the ICC chart.

Australia has held the top spot since August 2001 when the current ranking system was introduced and has been No. 1 for all but eight months out of the last 13 years when South Africa led the championship table for three months in late 1999 and for five months in 2001.

If South Africa wins in Sydney, it will put both the teams level on 123 ratings points but Smith’s side will be placed higher by a fraction of a point.

If Australia wins, it will retain the No. 1 spot on 126 points while South Africa will beat India (118 points) to second spot with 121 ratings points.

A draw, meanwhile, will keep Australia ahead of South Africa on 124 ratings points but the difference will be reduced to just two points as compared to the pre-series gap of 13 points. — PTI