Great article Duncan - Enjoyed that.

Cheers mate

I did it from memory so I'm sure someone will be here to correct me soon.

Its funny how for all the issues England has had they kept the last 2 tests close.

To be frank South africa has the classiest players, their test batsman and bowlers dominate the rankings and by virture of having Jaque Kallis and AB devilliers as wicket keeper they can even field 5 bowlers.

Its astonishing the options they have and they look equiped to dominate HOWEVER if there is anyteam that can fail even with good [players its south africa.

In the past the Old heads like Boucher Kallis and pollock made it difficult for Smith to express his opiniuon and for young players to grow but now Smith trully leads his own side and dare I say I think they have the team to dominate like West Indies and Oz before them.

Questions will be asked about the spinner but I think they have to sure patience.The country has a very bad spin bowling tradition almost non existent and its not only the spinner who must improve but the wicket keeper aswell.

I rate England in English conditions, both batsman and bowlers and what SA have achieved is huge.I cant see Oz beat them and only India will prove difficult in India.

Its hard to see where this unit will lose their next test match but I must admit Steyn is crucial.

An injury to Dale Steyn immediately makes South africa like the other 3 that make the top 4.

He is by far the best fast bowler in world cricket

No worties Duncan. Nice to see soneone focus on cricket and not WUM.

South Africa ate an amazing team, however Rudolph has hardly set the world alight internationally and Peterson has really struggled in the CC over the past 2 years. Tahir doesn't convince me, nor Duminy.

But, what they have is 7 players who would walk into any team. Smith, Amla, Kallis, AB, Steyn, Morkel and Philander. Wow!

My query with South Africa is their balance. Kallis is 36 - How much longer will he last? When this irreplacable legend goes, will they drop Rudolph or Duminy to allow for another bowler or select a batsman who offers a few overs.

Also, the wicket keeping position. As great a keeper and inflence as Boucher was, it stregthens the batting to give the gloves to AB. Again, is this long term? If so, it could influence his longer term batting and his keeping is good, but not superb.

So, very interesting to see how this great team evolves in the next few years.

One last point - For all the plaudits given to Tendulkar for his brilliance, what sbout Kallis? Averages 56, tonnes of catches, 180 wickets at 32.

The best cricketer in my life time and I am aged 30.

I am optimistic that Australia can beat SA. Just a few months ago Aus and SA drew in SA. In the 2nd test Aus had a 200 lead after the first innings and amazingly managed to lose the match from that position by being bowled all out for 47. Our batting line up seems to have been bolstered since then.

I can't wait for this series.

You seem to ask more questions than provide any insight scotty ! Interesting times ahead , we should be able to the neuter the limeys come the winter and catapult back to no.3.

While it is exciting in the sense that no.1 has changed hands with regularity, it's slightly disappointing that we haven't really seen any close series' between these top sides.

If England had won today...tbh it would have been unfortunate. SA have dominated this series. England pulverised Australia down under, then India, but then Australia did the same! It was almost uncomfortable to watch. England couldn't even make a game of it against Pakistan.

The most hotly contested series' have been SA vs Aus and SL vs Eng, surprise surprise they were only two match series'.

Tbh I wouldn't bet against India and Australia dominating England and SA respectively. The number 1 merry go round will continue for a while I reckon.

test match rugby can get pretty exciting, but i cant think of any sport in the world that can build gripping excitement like test match cricket can

Duncan,

Good article. Said the other week on here that the Proteas have got the tools to be successful anywhere in the world, it's just a matter of how they handle the mental aspect and the pressures of expectancy. However in Gary Kirsten I think they've got the ideal coach to deal with that. Should be interesting to see how they fare for the meantime but the real test starts when they have to replaces Kallis, still that's for another day. They've earned this.

scrummy,

Whilst SA dont have a great tradition in the spin department to say it's almost non existent is to do a great deal of injustice to some great spinners. Hugh Tayfield is one of the greatest off spinners in the game's history and ironically, arguably the most famous attack SA have ever sent to England consisted of four leg spinners. One of which was Ernie Vogler then considered the best bowler in the world and another was Aubrey Faulkner widely considered one of the greatest ever all-rounders. Sadly the other members of that spin attack Reggie Schwarz and Gordon White were killed in WW1. Kind of a tradition there I'd say.

very well-balanced article, Duncan. Definitely worthy of a 5 star rating

good article dunc. enjoyed reading it and i am hoping that pakistan are able to not get complacent and put up a decent show away against saffers.

5 stars from me too. Excellent article

It's interesting to note that only SA have taken the top spot in recent years by beating a top 4 side away.

England and India both rose to the top with comprehensive home wins.

SA have been formidable away from home but their home form has been less than impressive. Draws at home to England, India and Australia as well as a home loss to Australia starkly contrast with the fact that they haven't lost away since they toured Australia in 2006 (I think). Most of the pitches in SA produce results and SA seem to lack the killer instinct to really bury teams in home series.

If they can beat Aus at home surely they will go on to be No.1 for a long time to come.

It's their time