Captain Michael Clarke says Australia’s ascension to top spot in world cricket’s Test rankings is the most satisfying day of his decorated career.
Australia’s stunning Ashes win and series defeat of South Africa has propelled it to reclaim the No.1 Test cricket ranking for the first time in five years.
Australia also remain the top rated one-day international side.
“I don’t think I have had a more satisfying day or feeling in my career,” Clarke told reporters in Sydney on Thursday.
Clarke said achieving the Test No.1 spot was the more satisfying because they had done it from such a low ebb, including being labelled the worst Australian team ever to tour India after plummeting to a 4-0 defeat there early last year.
It’s the first time since December 2008 that Australia has been ranked No.1 in Tests and ODIs at the same time.
Australia last held the top Test ranking in August 2009, when it was displaced after losing the Ashes series 2-1 to England.
South Africa had held the No.1 position since August 2012 but in the latest table, Australia gained eight ratings points to move up from 115 to 123.
That was equal to South Africa, who dropped from 127 to be level on 123, but Australia moved ahead by a fraction of a point.
The latest rankings, released by the International Cricket Council on Thursday, dropped 2010-11 results from calculations.
“There has been an enormous amount of hard work and effort on and off the field that has led to this result,” Clarke said.
“However, the true test of a great side is sustained success and now our goal is to maintain these rankings and continue to play great cricket.”
After losing last year’s Ashes series in England 3-0, following a tumultuous period in which coach Mickey Arthur was sacked, Australian cricket has gone from strength to strength.
While replacement Darren Lehmann endured that tough campaign he quickly turned things around with Australia sweeping their return series against England 5-0 during the last summer.
His side then scored an impressive 2-1 away series win over South Africa.
The only anomaly for the side remains the Twenty20 format where Australia failed to make it out of the group stages at this year’s World Cup in Bangladesh and is ranked sixth in the world.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
I may be a tad cynical but great team man that Clarkey is, this acheivement is surely not more satisfying than his great innings, captaincy and exciting finishes?