SA is number one in ODIs

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South Africa has become the top-ranked one-day side in the world. More... SA is number one March 14 2008 at 02:09PM South Africa rode on an unbeaten half-century by Graeme Smith to thrash Bangladesh by seven wickets and become the top-ranked one-day side in the world on Friday. Smith hit three fours and three sixes in his 94-ball 68 as the visitors overhauled the target of 143 with nearly 16 overs to spare for a 3-0 whitewash. South Africa, who were level with Australia on points at the top of the one-day rankings before the series, completed the feat with a clinical display. Smith, 27, also surpassed 5 000 runs in one-dayers after reaching the same mark during the South Africans' 2-0 win in the preceding two-Test series. The Proteas' captain, who reached his 36th half-century with a four off left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, brought off the winning runs with a huge six over long on. Bangladesh, on the other hand, slumped to their 14th one-day international defeat in a row, with their last win coming against South Africa in a World Cup super eight match last year. South Africa were off to a cautious run chase, scoring their first 50 off 101 balls before Smith joined AB de Villiers (40) to put on a 79-run stand for the third wicket and steer the team to victory. Earlier man-of-the-match Albie Morkel picked a career-best 4-29 while off-spinner Johan Botha chipped in with 3-34 as the hosts were bowled out in 42.5 overs on a placid wicket at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium. None of the Bangladeshi batsmen showed the patience or temperament to stand up to a second-string South African bowling attack, throwing away their wickets recklessly. Half the Bangladesh side were back in the pavilion for just 97 after skipper Mohammad Ashraful won the toss and elected to bat for the third time in a row. Tamim Iqbal (eight) was unlucky to be adjudged caught behind off Morkel as TV replays showed the ball clipping the pad and not the bat. But there was no such doubt when Iqbal's opening partner Shahriar Nafees edged one to de Villiers off Albie's brother Morne Morkel, Bangladesh slipping to 41-2. Ashraful's woeful form continued, being caught at mid-on by Hamish Amla off Albie Morkel for nine. The under-fire skipper finished the series with just 17 runs from three outings. Nazimuddin (20), who was looking to open up after hitting three boundaries, tried to go for a slog off Albie Morkel but only succeeding in holing out to Smith at mid-wicket. Shakib Al Hasan also failed to rebuild the innings, with Botha claiming his wicket for 12 while Raqibul Hasan was run out, also for 12, with JP Duminy throwing to the wicketkeeper from covers. Left-arm spinner Paul Harris cleaned up Dhiman Ghosh before Botha returned to have Razzak caught behind for nine. The tail then folded without resistance, much to the disappointment of the crowd. South Africa next head to India for a three-Test series starting March 26, while Bangladesh host Ireland for a one-day series.

[Sachinism]

shame on aussies india need to plan a tour of bangla

[Cricketics]

they don't deserve to be.. australia is far better team then them and consistent too..

[coffee_rules]

#1 team to not win any major tournament involving more than 3 teams - WC, Champions trophy, etc. #1 Chokers.

[Cricketics]

coffe rules, actualy the did win champions trophy.. that time it was known as mini world cup.. it was in 1998.. it was the first time it was held and they won that inaugural tournament..

[Predator_05]

India beat this #1 side the last time they played them. A series between SA and IND would be a good contest right now.

[Laaloo]

^^ and on a neutral ground:two_thumbs_up::two_thumbs_up:

[Guest HariSampath]

Good, now all we need to do is beat SAF for comprehensive bragging rights to be # 1

[Cricketics]

Good' date=' now all we need to do is beat SAF for comprehensive bragging rights to be # 1[/quote'] we ain't having any odi's with them for now..

[Guest HariSampath]

Thats ok..we can hopefully beat them in semi finals of champions trophy, to stake claim :-)

[Kartikey]

Thats ok..we can hopefully beat them in semi finals of champions trophy' date=' to stake claim :-)[/quote'] Aus will beat WI, and go back to the summit. We'll win the Asia Cup and continue our rise.

[fineleg]

Aus are #1 and will soon regain it. SA are pretenders to #1

[Kartikey]

Aus are #1 and will soon regain it. SA are pretenders to #1

Agree. SA were ranked No.1 at the WC last year and got destroyed by Aus in the semi.

[umpire]

SA should thank India, they lowers aussies points.

[Zakhmi]

Smith Hails Proteas After They Regain Top ODI Spot Proteas captain Graeme Smith on Friday paid tribute to the hard work his Standard Bank ODI squad members have put in over the past two years in wresting the No 1 world one-day ranking away from world champions Australia.

He also said that it was a fine achievement that a young country like South Africa could achieve such status in the comparatively brief time cricket has been unified under a democratic government in this country. “Outside of winning World Cups, this is the next most important thing,†commented Smith. “You have to be consistent to be ranked No 1 and I think we have reached that level of consistency over a period of time. We have performed very well and I am very proud of what the guys have achieved over the last two years. Hopefully this is the beginning for us. I have worked very hard on not focusing too much on the end results but rather on performing better as a team and as individuals. Being No 1 is a reward for all of us but hopefully it is just the beginning of what is a very tough year – away series against India, England and Australia. Those are challenges by themselves. I am very proud of this achievement even though there is a bigger picture for all of us. Being No 1 in the world brings with it a certain respect for the game itself and for the way in which we play the game and conduct ourselves on the field. I feel that is very important in making cricket a better game.†more...

[Desi Cartman]

:yay: So aussies are not #1 .. at least for next few weeks ... and then Ponting , Mr Cricket etc will get back to scoring useless 100s and claim they are the best .. I would love to see Aussies touring SAF and then coming to India ..

[Zakhmi]

Instead of mentioning and accepting circumstantial crown, Smith speaks about maintaining the position after telling "We have performed very well". As said above, he must thank India for beating Australia and curtail their supremacy by large.