Australia reclaim top Test rank after five years
Nudge SA following Ashes whitewash of England.
"I don’t think I have had a more satisfying day or feeling in my career. Being at number one was my goal," Michael Clarke PHOTO: AFP
SYDNEY:
Australia have reclaimed the number one Test ranking for the first time in five years, with captain Michael Clarke calling it the most satisfying day of his career.
They also remain the top-rated ODI side in the latest official rankings from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
It is the first time since December 2008 that the country has been ranked number one in Tests and ODIs at the same time. They last held the top Test ranking in August 2009, when they were displaced after losing the Ashes 2-1 to England.
Darren Lehmann’s Australians nudged out South Africa, who had held the top Test spot since August 2012.
Australia gained eight ratings points to move up from 115 to 123 points to be equal with South Africa, who dropped from 127, but Australia moved ahead by a fraction of a point.
England are currently third, ahead of Pakistan and India.
Clarke said Australia’s ascension was the highlight of his decorated career.
“I don’t think I have had a more satisfying day or feeling in my career,” he said.
“For me, as captain, being at number one was my goal. I think we were third or fourth when I took over from Ricky [Ponting] – and then I know we got to fifth after losing in India.
“My goal never changed, I wanted to help this team get back to being the number one team in the world and I know the players were exactly the same.”
Meanwhile, India replaced Sri Lanka as the number-one ranked T20 International side.
Marsh to replace Inverarity: reports
John Inverarity, regarded as one of the architects of Australia’s recent success, is expected to stand down as chairman of selectors and be replaced by Rod Marsh.
The 70-year-old’s contract expires at the end of June and Cricket Australia directors will consider changes to the selection committee at a board meeting this week.
“The man most likely to step into the role would be Rod Marsh, who has served alongside him [Inverarity] since 2011, when the panel was revamped in the wake of the Argus review,” said Fairfax Media.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2014.
Australia have reclaimed the number one Test ranking for the first time in five years, with captain Michael Clarke calling it the most satisfying day of his career.
They also remain the top-rated ODI side in the latest official rankings from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
It is the first time since December 2008 that the country has been ranked number one in Tests and ODIs at the same time. They last held the top Test ranking in August 2009, when they were displaced after losing the Ashes 2-1 to England.
Darren Lehmann’s Australians nudged out South Africa, who had held the top Test spot since August 2012.
Australia gained eight ratings points to move up from 115 to 123 points to be equal with South Africa, who dropped from 127, but Australia moved ahead by a fraction of a point.
England are currently third, ahead of Pakistan and India.
Clarke said Australia’s ascension was the highlight of his decorated career.
“I don’t think I have had a more satisfying day or feeling in my career,” he said.
“For me, as captain, being at number one was my goal. I think we were third or fourth when I took over from Ricky [Ponting] – and then I know we got to fifth after losing in India.
“My goal never changed, I wanted to help this team get back to being the number one team in the world and I know the players were exactly the same.”
Meanwhile, India replaced Sri Lanka as the number-one ranked T20 International side.
Marsh to replace Inverarity: reports
John Inverarity, regarded as one of the architects of Australia’s recent success, is expected to stand down as chairman of selectors and be replaced by Rod Marsh.
The 70-year-old’s contract expires at the end of June and Cricket Australia directors will consider changes to the selection committee at a board meeting this week.
“The man most likely to step into the role would be Rod Marsh, who has served alongside him [Inverarity] since 2011, when the panel was revamped in the wake of the Argus review,” said Fairfax Media.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2014.