Australia have a long way to go: Clarke

Out-ranking Proteas in Tests a big challenge, says skipper.

SYDNEY: Australia captain Michael Clarke believes his team has a long way to go before supplanting South Africa as the number one Test cricket team.

Clarke returned home Friday after leading the Australians to an epic 2-1 series win over the Proteas in South Africa to cement their status as the second team in world cricket behind South Africa.

Clarke said despite their supremacy over South Africa in the recent series, his side would be foolish to consider themselves the best team in Test cricket and said the job was far from done.

If Australia defeat Pakistan and India in Test series later this year, they could be the International Cricket Council’s top-ranked side.

“I think South Africa have well and truly earned that mantle and that doesn’t come lightly,” Clarke told reporters at Sydney Airport.

“You’ve got to have success over a long period of time and they’ve [the Proteas] done that.

“We’re playing some really good cricket and I think we’re improving as a team but there’s a long way to go before we will consider ourselves the number one team in the world.”

Clarke predicted that Australia would take home their first World Twenty20 crown in Bangladesh in March-April.

Australia have never won the short form tournament, but Clarke is confident they can carry on from the Test series wins over England and South Africa and take the world T20 title.

“I think they can. I think they’ll be led extremely well by George Bailey. He’s captained the Twenty20 team exceptionally well for a while now.

“I think the confidence the Test players will take out of this series and bring into the Twenty20 team will certainly help as well. So I’m backing the boys. I’m really confident they’ll win the Twenty20 World Cup.”

Meanwhile, Demon paceman Mitchell Johnson will be rested from Australia’s three-match Twenty20 series against South Africa, starting on Sunday in Port Elizabeth.

And, a hamstring injury will keep South African fast-bowler Dale Steyn out of the first two Twenty20s.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2014.

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