ICC Media Release:

Australia and South Africa setting the pace in Tests and ODIs

Ponting receives Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship mace while Smith picks up ICC ODI Championship shield; David Richardson: “These awards are a recognition of excellence

The presentation of the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship mace and the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship shield plus prize money was made to the captains of the Australia and South Africa teams in Johannesburg today.

Captain Ricky Ponting accepted the mace and US$175,000 on behalf of Cricket Australia for leading the team that will finish top of the Test Championship table on the annual cut-off date of 1 April. He also picked up a cheque for US$75,000 for coming second in the ODI Championship on the same date.

Meanwhile, Graeme Smith took possession of the shield and US$175,000 on behalf of Cricket South Africa in recognition of his team finishing top of the ODI Championship table. He also accepted a cheque for US$75,000 for being second in the Test Championship on the 1 April cut-off.

“These awards are a recognition of excellence,” said Mr Richardson.

“Australia has been at the top of the Test Championship table for a very long time now and that is a remarkable achievement. It is one thing getting to the top but it much harder to stay there and when they were beaten in the series in Australia, Ricky and his players came to South Africa in real danger of losing their number-one spot.

“But they showed great character and skill in the first two Tests to make sure of winning the series and remaining on top,” he said.

“South Africa has been pushing Australia in both the Test and ODI formats of the game for quite some time and is deservedly top of the ODI Championship. I want to congratulate both sides for their dedication, ability to entertain us all and for playing the game in the right spirit. I wish them all the best for the coming year,” said Mr Richardson.

At the presentation, Ponting said: “This is a tribute to the hard work of the players and the back-room staff and it’s very pleasing for us… After losing the home series against South Africa we were under pressure and so we came here to make sure we lifted our game and improve in a lot of areas. That was our focus.

“I think the way we performed in first two Tests of the series was as good as we have played in a long time and it gave me perhaps more pleasure than any other series I have been a part of either as a player or a captain.”

Smith added: “If you look back a couple of years we were probably fourth or fifth in both the Test and ODI rankings so to be second in the Test rankings and number-one in one-dayers is a great feeling and is testament to how far we have come.

“The hunger is there and we have shown that we can compete with Australia in both those formats of the game and I am optimistic that we can eventually lead both sets of rankings because we have the right plan and the right attitude at the moment.”

Sanjay Behl, Group Head – Branding and Marketing, Reliance Communications, ADAG, said: “Reliance Communications, ADA Group, congratulates both the Australian and the South African teams for their top-rated achievements on the Reliance Mobile ICC Rankings for the Test and the ODI formats respectively. The Australia team deservedly has retained the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Mace and the South Africa team has displayed its mettle by giving them a close fight to top the ODI format rankings.  

“We are privileged to be associated with the Reliance Mobile ICC Rankings – the ICC authorised ratings which enhance competitiveness in the game and provide greater challenges to the players and teams to push the envelope constantly to deliver superlative performances. This is good for the game and the fans can continue to use the Reliance Mobile Rankings as the official reservoir of information to enable them to keep track of the performances of their favourite teams and players.

“Through the association with the ICC Rankings, we are keen that our brand, Reliance Mobile, plays an important role in enhancing the competitive edge that the game of cricket offers to its millions of supporters the world over,” he added.

Before the Test series that finished in Cape Town on Sunday, Australia’s lead in the Test Championship had been cut to five ratings points and a series win of any kind would have been enough for South Africa to go top. But after its disappointment of losing 2-1 at home to the Proteas, Australia emerged stronger and more determined than ever to stay on top of the world and managed to secure a 2-1 series win of its own.

Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship (as of 25 March)

Rank   Team                           Rating

1          Australia                    128

2          South Africa               119

3          India                          118

4          Sri Lanka                    108

5          Pakistan                     100

6          England                       98

7          West Indies                 89

8          New Zealand                81

9          Bangladesh                   0

Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship (as of 25 March)

Rank   Team                          Rating

1          South Africa               125

2          Australia                    124

3          India                          122

4          New Zealand             112

5          Pakistan                    111

6          England                     107

7          Sri Lanka                   105

8          West Indies                92

9          Bangladesh                 46

10        Zimbabwe                   23

11        Ireland                        19

12        Kenya                          0