The best, and the easiest, way to record books (and also to give a perfect launching pad to fresh blood) in world cricket these days is to play a series against a weak team. Take your pick: Ireland, Zimbabwe, Kenya or Bangladesh. The Proteas, courtesy ICC’s Future Tours Programme, got Bangladeshis to whack around all over the park – creating one record after another in the Tests as well as the ODI series.
Two world records were created in the Tests series and at the end of the 3-0 triumph vs the hapless hosts, Graeme Smith’s squad had achieved another landmark: that of swapping places with Australia to take the top spot in the ICC ODI championship table.
That could well translate into big bucks as well. The team which leads the ODI championship table on April 1 will receive US$175,000 while the side which grabs second place takes home US$75,000.
England blew up their chance to finish 2nd in the Test table after losing the 1st Test to New Zealand. That effectively gives Anil Kumble’s team the runners-up prize with Australia taking the top spot.
Australia now gets US$175,000 while the Indians pocket US$75,000.
LG ICC ODI Championship (as of 14 March, 2008)
LG ICC ODI Championship (as of 14 March, 2008)
(Read: Rank/Team/Rating)
1 South Africa 127
2 Australia 127
3 New Zealand 113
4 India 113
5 Pakistan 109
6 Sri Lanka 107
7 England 105
8 West Indies 96
9 Bangladesh 46
10 Ireland 28
11 Zimbabwe 18
12 Kenya 0
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