South Africa dethrone Australia to become world number one test team
“South Africa claimed top spot in the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings after thrashing Pat Cummins’ Australia by 176 runs on Day 5 of the pivotal third Test at Newlands in Cape Town. After being asked to ch…”
After being asked to chase 288 in the fourth innings, Temba Bavuma’s side bowled Australia out for just 111 in 57.1 overs to complete a sensational 2-1 series comeback in the first Test rubber to be played in South Africa since 2018.
The series win means current World Test Championship winners claim the number one spot in the ICC Test Rankings for the first time since January 2016, completing a long awaited 10-year wait for them to be back at number one in Test cricket.
Throughout the three-match series, Bavuma led from the front scoring an impressive 218 runs as South Africa’s leading run scorer. He also scored his 4000th career Test run throughout the series. Australia were looking to chase down their 288 target with all of their 10 wickets intact however they were quickly dismantled by Rabada.
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In the first half hour of play the fast bowling spearhead dismissed opener Matt Renshaw for just 0 runs. He then dismissed Marnus Labuschagne for 4 LBW in the very first over of the chase to reach 600 wickets in international cricket.
Three overs later he dismissed dangerous left hander Travis Head for 14 to reach 350 wickets in Test cricket after bowling 13,808 deliveries, the most ever in world cricket. This brought Australia to 20/3. After Rabada dismantled the top order as Harmer struck in spectacular fashion.
The 37 year old off-spinner took 6 wickets for 16 runs in the second innings. He got rid of Alex Carey (2), Cooper Connolly (0), Mitchell Starc (0), Cameron Green (27), Pat Cummins (11) and Josh Hazlewood (0) as he claimed a 10-wicket maiden haul in Tests.
South Africa have climbed to the top of the world rankings after they suffered a heavy 214-run loss in the first Test in Durban.
They overcame a strong Australian attack led by Mitchell Starc (15 wickets in the series) to come back and win the second Test in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs and They then completed a stunning turnaround to knock off a 100-run deficit in the first innings.
Despite the Proteas slipping to 40/4 in their second innings in Cape Town as they came back with a stunning century from Ryan Rickelton (101) and Wiaan Mulder (115). Marco Jansen, left arm all rounder who reached 100 Test wickets during the match was awarded Player of the Series for his 198 runs and 13 wickets.
Bavuma’s side picked up 12 vital points in the World Test Championship as they proved they are the best Test side in the world.
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