Cricket SA praises Proteas' squad for back-to-back Test series victories in England

Johannesburg, Aug 21: Cricket SA (CSA) has praised the Proteas’ squad for back-to back Test series victories in England to become the No 1 ranked Test side and retain the Basil d’Oliveira Trophy.

South Africa replaced England as the top team in the ICC Test Championship table following its 2-0 victory over Andrew Strauss’s team in the three-match series, which ended at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on Monday.

South Africa’s series victory means that it is the clear leader at the top of the table and England is now second, pushing Australia to third place.

They now have 120 ranking points compared to England''s 117. They will have to defend their ICC ranking status when they travel to third-placed Australia for a three-match series in November and December.

This will be followed by two home Test series against New Zealand and Pakistan.

Monday’s match was a personal triumph for virtually every member of the Proteas'' starting XI, but Hashim Amla stood out for his century, which set up the defendable target of 346, Sport24 reports.

“The entire squad, including all the players and team management, deserve every accolade they will undoubtedly receive,” said CSA acting CEO Jacques Faul.

“They have made the entire country extremely proud and it has been a wonderful period for South African sport, coming after the impressive performance of Team SA at the Olympic Games and Ernie Els''s victory at the British Open Golf Championship.

“What has been particularly impressive has been the way they have performed when the pressure has been at its most extreme and this is a tribute to head coach Gary Kirsten and his assistants for the coolness under pressure they have brought to the squad.”

Amla was named Man of the Series from South Africa side whereas the England Man of the Series award went to Matt Prior, who carried England so close to victory and was easily their most consistent player through the series.

VD Philander was named man of the match for his contribution with bat as well as ball.