aingham....the fact that batsman of the calibre of rudolph is not playing does speaks volumes about the bench strength of South Africa.  An average age of SA is only 24 years. So they are pretty much very young time.

I dont think Australia is over. Judging by the strength of domestic league they are anything but over. Even in this series they dominated the test against SA but let them off the hook because traditional killer instinct was missing from Australia.

And as far as ranking is concerned, Australia are still number 1 team at the moment in the world and South Africa second. Ranking are there for a reason and you earn your ranking by consistently playing good cricket over a period of time. But it is only matter of time may be in Sydney test and if not in Sydney then definitely in next series in South Africa where they will claim the number 1 spot.   And there is little doubt SA will be there.

I have doubt whether India will be second team for sometime. because Australia have a very good chance of staying in second spot for sometime. Because if they slip to second place, then even a single win in SA will be enough for them to keep the second spot. Then the series in England will also see return of full strength Aussie side which will make English sweat to beat Australia.

And amazing, India and SA already played twice in last two years. So going by schedule they won't play in next 2-3 years unless BCCI flexes its financial muscle and play it regularly like they did against Australia.


India record is nowhere as good as SA. Two away series they played this year they lost. They are just a pretender. here is the record of SA in last 2 years.

First up
Pakistan in South Africa 2006.
3 test series.Result=SA win series 2-1.

India in South Africa 2007.
3 test series.Result=SA win series 2-1.

South Africa in Pakistan 2007/08
2 test series Result=SA win series 1-0.

New Zealand in South Africa 2007/08
2 test series Result=SA win series 2-0.

West Indies in South Africa 2007/08
3 test series.Result=SA win series 2-1.

South Africa in Bangladesh 2007/08
1 test. Result=SA win series 1-0.

South Africa in India 2008 Results
2 test series Result=SA draw series 1-1.

SA in England 2008.
3 test series.Result=SA win series 2-1.

Bangladesh in South Africa
2 test series Result=SA win series 2-0.

SA in Australia.
3 test series Result=SA win series 2-0.one game to play.

In recent times, India lost in SA. SA drew in India. SA won in Australia. India lost in Australia. Should be an end of an argument.