England v South Africa, 1st Test, The Oval, 19-23 July, 2012

Where's this? I want to understand how!

Who's gone second then?

Anyway, Smuthy's 100th Test it appears... if you count the World XI match. One of the select group of players who will effectively get to celebrate the milestone twice!

Tweets on cricinfo...

''cricketicc England extend lead as top Test team after annual Reliance ICC Rankings update #cricket''

''cricketicc Australia is now second, South Africa third, Pakistan (4th), India (5th) after anual update of Reliance ICC Test rankings''

How? results from 4-5 years ago are lobbed off the record to give credence to more recent results (I think)

I knew how, I suppose. But it makes a mockery of the rankings.

Brass Monkey wrote:I knew how, I suppose. But it makes a mockery of the rankings.

I have always considered the rankings a mockery.

I actually must be in a minority because I think the ICC rankings are quite fair - SA didn't win for something like 4 home test series (?) and so if a few winning series are lobbed off from a while back to give precedence to them. fair do's imo.

The reason the 3-0 reverse to Pak didn't hurt so much for us is that we lost the previous series 2-0. If we'd won it we'd have lost those points.

Nah, SA went top about 8 years back when Aus were clearly the best

taipan wrote:Nah, SA went top about 8 years back when Aus were clearly the best

There is always the chance of an anomaly. SA obviously deserved it on results, being top doesn't make you automatically an all time great side like WI or AUS.

Anyway, if you want to see a farked up rankings system look no further than FIFA which has England at 4 !! I think the ICC rankings do tell a story in that there isn't a ciggie paper between the top 4.

England should win this pretty comfortably you'd think.

What makes you think that?

He's probably doing the old reverse woofaroo

The classic hoodwink! I should've known.

Well England are at home, have been playing for months, are settled, and supremely confident.

The Yarps have had little game time, have lost their keeper, are playing away from home, and are playing for top spot.

I'd be surprised if the Yarps win a day, let alone a Test.

Good times.

Almost like old times

Erm yeah sure

Invader Zim wrote:Erm yeah sure

You're a f*cking Herbert.

What's that when its at home?

Foolish!

How did you "enjoy" Pomgolia et la Belle France, Zimbo?

it's what I think.

Invader Zim wrote:Well England are at home, have been playing for months, are settled, and supremely confident.

The Yarps have had little game time, have lost their keeper, are playing away from home, and are playing for top spot.

I'd be surprised if the Yarps win a day, let alone a Test.

So, one day to England, 14 to the rain?

When was the last series involving England of 3 or more tests that ended 0-0?

Strong possibility if the weather stays as it is.

FFS. You have a good team. Revel in it. Cos it will end.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/ProteasinEngland/Proteas-prepared-for-the-worst-20120714

More references to 'undercooked'.