Indian press: we don't deserve to be ranked #1

The Indian media is already in overdrive in response to the flogging at TB.

Some believe that a statistical sleight of hand rewarded them with the top ranking rather than it being truly reflective of their position. Wonder if the effigy shops are flourishing.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/India-dont-deserve-No-1-20110802

Some Kneejerker wrote:Five of those series wins came at home and the other three were against the lowest-rung Test sides, Bangladesh, the West Indies and New Zealand, the paper said.

Significantly, India could only draw against South Africa or Sri Lanka in the same period.

Aye, well this is true. But not a bad record all-in-all.

I've never agreed with the squeezed-in Two Test home muggings that have occurred, but on reflection they were the top side by virtue of South Africa filling their knickers with excrement at any given opportunity...

First time I agree with the Indian press.

To be fair, there is no clear No 1 at the moment with Saf, India and England each having some claim to the title.

JGK wrote:To be fair, there is no clear No 1 at the moment with Saf, India and England each having some claim to the title.

I would agree with this. There is no team with clear dominance, but I can see India slipping badly in the next 2 years.

I think SA has only lost one of its last fifteen series but it was silly enough to lose to us on home soil (2/1) and couldn't take the tenth wicket twice against England which would have seen it beat them 3-1 instead of the draw. Hard to imagine that England won't claim the two tests victory against India in this series required to clinch the top ranking.

Yeah TBH, I do think that SA are number 1 in pure cricketing terms but they have as much steel in them as a bowl of jelly. India have been the best on the flatter decks. England by virtue of actually winning series convincingly. There is no clear number 1. Whoever is the top team is the shittest top team in 35-40 years.

SA also inexplicably failed to beat India on thier home decks last summer.

For what it's worth, I think SA should be No 1 but they do fail to win matches they should win.

JGK wrote:SA also inexplicably failed to beat India on thier home decks last summer.

For what it's worth, I think SA should be No 1 but they do fail to win matches they should win.

Basically 3 bad sessions in Durban cost us 3 series. That and the fact that no one goes to test in Durban suggests to me that the Durban test be played at Wanderers.

When's your last convincing victory taipan? Seems to me you've f*cked it plenty and hence gone miles down in my estimations.

South Africa- Always so close, yet so far.

Brass Monkey wrote:When's your last convincing victory taipan? Seems to me you've f*cked it plenty and hence gone miles down in my estimations.

As I said we have cocked up the last three home series but hold away series in Aus and England and 2 drawn series in a row in India.

Is Smith still South African test captain?

taipan wrote:First time I agree with the Indian press.

Aye. All I can say is "damn straight" to the Bannie Press sentiments.

taipan wrote:

As I said we have cocked up the last three home series but hold away series in Aus and England and 2 drawn series in a row in India.

Yeah, not bad. Not the most convincing thing I've heard though. TBH, I just want to see SA play again, it's been an age.

JGK wrote:SA also inexplicably failed to beat India on thier home decks last summer.

For what it's worth, I think SA should be No 1 but they do fail to win matches they should win.

Aye. Amazing that as good as the Yarps look on paper, they haven't managed to grab no. 1 from india, and the Poms look like leap-frogging them.

It's ALWAYS mental with South Africa. Simply can't seize the big moments. As has been mentioned, on paper they are streets ahead of any other side.

Brass Monkey wrote:

taipan wrote:

As I said we have cocked up the last three home series but hold away series in Aus and England and 2 drawn series in a row in India.

Yeah, not bad. Not the most convincing thing I've heard though. TBH, I just want to see SA play again, it's been an age.

yeah, that's why I agreed that there are about 3 teams about the same.

Just wish we could get a 4/5 test series organised as it will never happen against the Aussies. Aren't we in England for 3 next year?

Henry wrote:It's ALWAYS mental with South Africa. Simply can't seize the big moments. As has been mentioned, on paper they are streets ahead of any other side.

Yeah Trev, another poor wind up.

Ask the Aussies how they feel about Perth and the MCG on the last tour.

Batting number one- India

Bowling number one- South Africa

Mental number one- England

And our batting and bowling isn't far behind either of the other teams.

taipan wrote:
yeah, that's why I agreed that there are about 3 teams about the same.

Just wish we could get a 4/5 test series organised as it will never happen against the Aussies. Aren't we in England for 3 next year?

Yeah, I'll let them off this time can't interfere with that boring load of Olympics shite. I'm sure a sh!tty three-matcher will leave a bad taste.

skully wrote:

JGK wrote:SA also inexplicably failed to beat India on thier home decks last summer.

For what it's worth, I think SA should be No 1 but they do fail to win matches they should win.

Aye. Amazing that as good as the Yarps look on paper, they haven't managed to grab no. 1 from india, and the Poms look like leap-frogging them.

Um Skulls for what its worth we were no 1 before India but didn't see the need to have a wankfest about it.

Going to be intersting to see the England reaction if they get it.

Henry wrote:It's ALWAYS mental with South Africa. Simply can't seize the big moments. As has been mentioned, on paper they are streets ahead of any other side.

They're behind England in the following:

Third seamer.

Spinner.

Tail-end runs.

taipan wrote:

Henry wrote:It's ALWAYS mental with South Africa. Simply can't seize the big moments. As has been mentioned, on paper they are streets ahead of any other side.

Yeah Trev, another poor wind up.

Ask the Aussies how they feel about Perth and the MCG on the last tour.

Yep, you played well there. In both those games you were pretty much down and out, which I think freed the players up to just play naturally and not worry about the result.

England have it all over you guys mentally, though. You've gotta admit that.

Henry wrote:Batting number one- India

Bowling number one- South Africa

Mental number one- England

And our batting and bowling isn't far behind either of the other teams.

Ah Trev, why don't you go have a wank. You're the only one getting all excited here.