South Africa will begin the New Year by aiming to strengthen their No.1 status in the ICC Test Championship Table, when they play a two-match series against New Zealand from Jan 2 at Cape Town.
South Africa currently lead the rankings with 123 rating points and have a five-point lead over second-placed England. Graeme Smith’s side retained the Test Championship Mace in December 2012 after it defeated Australia 1-0. For South Africa to retain the No.1 spot, they just need a 0-0 result or better in the two-match series against New Zealand. South Africa could at best gain one rating point for winning the series 2-0 but could lose one point if they win the series 1-0. In the event of the series ending at 1-1, South Africa would drop down to 119 points, just one ahead of England, currently placed at 118.
South Africa currently lead the rankings with 123 rating points and have a five-point lead over second-placed England. Graeme Smith’s side retained the Test Championship Mace in December 2012 after it defeated Australia 1-0. For South Africa to retain the No.1 spot, they just need a 0-0 result or better in the two-match series against New Zealand. South Africa could at best gain one rating point for winning the series 2-0 but could lose one point if they win the series 1-0. In the event of the series ending at 1-1, South Africa would drop down to 119 points, just one ahead of England, currently placed at 118.