Proteas' one win away from no.1 ranking

THE South African Test squad made history at the MCG on Tuesday when they beat Australia by a thumping nine wickets with the best part of two sessions to spare to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in their three-match series.

In the process they became the first South African side ever to win a Test series in Australia and victory in the third Test starting in Sydney on Saturday will enable them to seize Australia's No. 1 ranking as the official world champions of Test cricket.

It was a particular triumph for coach Mickey Arthur and captain Graeme Smith who have masterminded and developed the strategy over the last three years to get the team to where it is today.

Smith finished the year as the leading runs scorer in Test cricket for 2008 with an aggregate of 1656 – the third best in history for a calendar year behind Mohammed Yousuf of Pakistan and Viv Richards of the West Indies. Smith also has taken his winning percentage as Test captain past the 50 mark.

Man of the match Dale Steyn was the leading wicket taker in Test cricket this year with 74 dismissals at an average of 20 and with an incredible strike rate of 35.8.

Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola paid tribute to the success of the team on behalf of CSA.

“On behalf of Cricket South Africa, I would like to congratulate the Proteas on their record-breaking Test series win over world champions Australia in their own backyard.

“There have been outstanding individual efforts such as by Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, and Paul Harris, which were coupled to outstanding catching and ground fielding.

“But in the end, this was a team effort begun four years ago when the Board of CSA accepted a three-strategic plan from Mickey Arthur to take the Proteas to the top and consequently appointed him as national coach.

“Since then, we have witnessed the captain and team mature into a committed unit that has set high cricketing standards in Africa, Europe, Asia, Australasia and the Caribbean.

“We have seen a united effort by all – players, coaches and administrators – to strive for achieving CSA’s vision of making cricket a truly national sport of winners.

“CSA also wants to acknowledge the key role played by our Test cricket pioneer sponsor, SA Breweries, through its premier brand, Castle Lager, in making this a winning team.

“And most importantly, we want to thank the Proteas’ loyal supporters who have urged them on, through thick and thin, to become one of the top teams in world cricket.

“This Test series victory is the first hurdle against Australia, and remaining are the third Test in Sydney, the away ODIs and the T20.

“Then on the horizon are the return Castle Tests, Standard Bank Pro 20, and MTN ODI series in South Africa in the New Year.

“We are confident that the commitment of the Proteas, supported by their skilled management team and myriads of local fans, will carry them through to ultimate victory.”

“I think it is important for us to say that we still have a lot of respect for Australia. They are a quality team and are always going to be. Obviously things have changed a bit now but it is a real honour for us to be here now and be the first team in 16 or 17 years to win on these shores,” concluded Majola.

CSA acting president Dr Logan Naidoo also paid tributed:

There has never been a better moment to say I am proud to be a South African. All special moments in our young democracy fades into insignificance at this very moment. On behalf of everyone in South Africa who have followed the rise of this young side led by Graeme and ably coached by Mickey Arthur, I can only say how blessed we are to have witnessed and been part of this moment in our history. T

There is no doubt in my mind that everyone in South Africa wakes up this morning to the fact the South Africa cricket is now the number one sport in the country.

I have been privileged to be part of this team for a while and now as the Acting President of Cricket South Africa, this is indeed a special, special moment for me. To everyone in the team and management a big thank you for this defining moment in world cricket

Smith remained as focused, humble and respectful as ever in the moment of his greatest triumph that included half-centuries in both innings.

“The hard work we have put in, the steps we have put in place as a team are more valid for us at the moment than commenting on Australia. The balance of power is changing but full credit to Australia for dominating world cricket for a decade or so. It does not mean they are going to be weaker or easier to beat on future tours.

“The balance of power has definitely evened out a bit and other teams are moving into new eras. But who knows?

“We have just been composed. We have gone about the business of playing our cricket. This hasn't been a standout series dominated by any one player. Every player has made a contribution at one time or another. I mean I couldn't have dreamed of the stand of 180 we had on Sunday when the tailenders managed to bat for nearly a full day.

“We have often been behind in this series but there has always been an individual to produce the character to seize the moment and win the big point for us.

“This has to be the greatest moment for South African cricket. With no disrespect to those who have gone before us or to the history of our game or the people who had opportunities or the people who never had opportunities, this has to be the most incredible season that South African cricket has ever had.”

Steyn was equally humbled by the occasion but predicted a new generation of cricketers would take South Africa forward to further triumphs.

“I just feel so relieved or privileged – I am not sure exactly how I feel – to be part of a team that has come down here and been successful. This side is a young side with its De Villiers, Duminy, Amlas and Morkels who are mostly playing their first Test matches here and they are going to carry on playing Test cricket for a long time. We don't have that kind of history – that word chokers keeps on coming up – and if we can start our careers like this and take it forward, we can start a new generation of cricket and South African cricketers. I am very proud to be part of a side that has achieved something special.

“I feel we have a great attack with a lot of maturity about it represented by Makhaya and Jacques, then you get the other three of us and we seem to be learning all the time. And we are also supported by a great captain.”