Mumbai, 16 April 2008
Annual honours for top sides presented; India collects US$75,000 for reaching second spot in Test ladder
Australia has retained the ICC Mace for a fourth year in a row after once again finishing as the top Test side in the ICC Test Championship.
But South Africa has picked up the ICC Shield for being this year’s top-ranked side in the ICC ODI Championship.
Australia finished the 12-month period up to 31 March 30 rating points clear of India in the ICC Test Championship with four wins, one defeat and one draw in Test cricket during that time.
At the same time, the Proteas edged out Ricky Ponting’s side by a fraction of a rating point to top the ODI table, winning 21 and losing eight ODIs during the same 12-month period.
Australia and South Africa received US$175,000 each for their achievements while Ponting’s side also pocketed an additional US$75,000 for finishing as runner-up in the ICC ODI Championship after 17 wins, six loses and three no-results in the twelve-month window.
India collected US$75,000 after ending the period in question in second place in the Test table with four wins, seven draws and two defeats in Test cricket.
Ricky Ponting, former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock and India coach Gary Kirsten received the cheques in the ceremony held in Mumbai on Wednesday.
ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed congratulated the teams on their successes, saying: “ Australia deserves praise for once again being the most consistent team in Test cricket.
“The success of Ricky Ponting’s side represents a benchmark for all teams at Test level and that is reflected in its standing in the ICC Test Championship table.
“Now, with the retirement of several high-profile players, it will face a challenge to its long-held top spot and it will be fascinating to see how all teams deal with that situation in the months to come.
“In one-day cricket it has been an absorbing battle between Australia and South Africa for first place in the ICC ODI Championship table and it was a battle that went right down to the wire before Graeme Smith’s side secured that position.
“Given Australia ’s status as reigning ICC Cricket World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy holders, South Africa deserves great credit for what it has achieved.
“And India’s performances over the twelve-month period, which have lifted it to second spot in the Test table are also impressive and it will be looking to close that large gap between itself and Australia while at the same time holding off the pack of teams that are snapping at its heels.”
Reflecting on his side’s fortunes in the Test and ODI rankings, Ricky Ponting said: “I am obviously proud of the performance of my team over the year.
“We have faced a number of challenges but have met them head-on and, in terms of the Test table and the large lead we hold, it shows we have met them.
“It’s disappointing to lose the lead in the ODI Championship table but it is great incentive for us as a unit to regain that top spot and, given this coming twelve months will also see us defend our ICC Champions Trophy title, there is plenty for us to look forward to.”
Shaun Pollock said: " Australia is the benchmark in all forms of the game and especially one-day cricket with it winning three successive ICC Cricket World Cups and holding the ICC Champions Trophy.
“So, for South Africa to take over the top spot in the one-day table is a huge achievement for the playing group as well as a great honour for everyone connected with South Africa cricket.
“Now the challenge is to maintain the standards the side has set itself and with Australia and a host of other teams hot on South Africa 's heels Graeme (Smith) and his players have the perfect incentive to do that.”
Gary Kirtsen said: “It has been a tough 12 months for us as a Test team but the fact we have risen to many of the challenges put before us is reflected in our second position in the ICC Test Championship table.
“We now have to press on and try and close the gap to Australia as well as stay ahead of the sides below us and that is something to look forward to for all the players and support staff in the months ahead.”
ICC TEST CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
2004/05 – 1. Australia ; 2. South Africa
2005/06 – 1. Australia ; 2. England
2006/07 – 1. Australia ; 2. England
2007/08 – 1. Australia ; 2. South Africa
ICC ODI CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
2003-04 – 1. Australia ; 2. South Africa
2004-05 – 1. Australia ; 2. Sri Lanka
2005-06 – 1. Australia ; 2. South Africa
2006-07 – 1. South Africa ; 2. Australia
2007-08 – 1. South Africa ; 2. Australia
ICC Test Championship (as of 31 March; last year’s rankings and ratings in brackets)
Rank Teams Rating
1 (1) Australia 141 (135)
2 (4) India 111 (107)
3 (5) Sri Lanka 109 (102)
4 (6) South Africa 109 (102)
5 (2) England 107 (114)
6 (3) Pakistan 94 (108)
7 (7) New Zealand 93 (93)
8 (8) West Indies 73 (92)
9 (9) Bangladesh 1 (02)
NB: Zimbabwe has a rating of 12 but has not played sufficient number of Test matches over the new rating period to be included on the main table.
ICC ODI Championship (as of 31 March; as of 31 March; last year’s rankings and ratings in brackets)
Rank Team Rating
1 (1) South Africa 127 (127)
2 (2) Australia 127 (127)
3 (3) New Zealand 113 (115)
4 (6) India 113 (106)
5 (4) Pakistan 109 (110)
6 (5) Sri Lanka 107 (108)
7 (7) England 105 (105)
8 (8) West Indies 96 (102)
9 (9) Bangladesh 46 (44)
10 Ireland 28
11 (10) Zimbabwe 18 (22)
12 (11) Kenya 0 (0)
ICC MEDIA RELEASE
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