Aus #1 in Test & ODI

Australia has risen back to the top of world cricket to reclaim the world's No.1 Test ranking for the first time in nearly five years.

Australia captain Michael Clarke said it was a fair reward for the team's performances after a summer where they inflicted not only a 5-0 whitewash on England – just the third Ashes whitewash in history – but beat previous world No.1 side South Africa 2-1 on their home soil.

"I think it's just reward for the hard work we've put in over the past two years," Clarke told Cricket.com.au. "This team has certainly been through some tough times. There's memories stuck in my head from the criticism we copped after the Indian tour when we lost 4-0 and we were named the worst team to ever tour India.

"When things like that are said about the team as a player you take it personally but I can guarantee you as captain it breaks your heart so that's always tough to hear.

"But through tours like that and the tough times, it's allowed the players to become so strong a group and to work exceptionally hard to get this result.

"For me, as captain, No.1 was my goal. I said from day one – I think we were third or fourth when I took over from Ricky – 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 No.1 team in the world and I know the players were exactly the same."

It is the first time Australia has been the world No.1 Test team since August 2009. Australia's ODI squad is also ranked the world's best, while the George Bailey-led Twenty20 team sits sixth.


m.cricket.com.au/news-list/2014/5/1/aust...st-icc-test-rankings

Well done but I suspect this is very temporary.

uneasy is the head that wears the crown

@Downunder ......... was wondering how long it would take you to post this

Isn't it just ?? ........ a very fast turn around !!!

WICB can't emulate CA's strategy ... even after two decades !!!  :-[ 

Very likely ..... with South Africa facing two Tests in Sri Lanka and one in Zimbabwe before Australia's next Test series, which is against Pakistan in the UAE in October.

But after that ?? I think they're going about creating a strong foundation to build on ....

I think there's a good possibility Oz can stay at No. 1 at tests. SA is sans Kallis and vulnerable as ever - terrific bowling lineup and theoretically fine batting lineup - but their batting collapses sometimes under pressure. They're a bit too unpredictable for a No. 1 side. Oz, when they get going are reasonably consistent IMO.

Although I guess we'll have to see how they do in subcontinent now.

Kylester,

I think Oz did what they did on the back of Johnson and God know what that lad was one but it is not there anymore. It normally takes him a few years to get it back and at his age this might be it.

We will see but I suspect Clarke will be exiting soon as his health issues are become more than he can handle.

That said, well done to Oz for coming from absolute shambles to some sort of sense.

I am sure the Coach has made some sort of difference in his no bullshit approach, just get out there and enjoy but I do not think they have the depth in either batting or bowling talent. Mitch did add a lot but he now seems a shadow of himself.

when they play WI