The Race To No.1

2008 has been a breathtaking year of test cricket.

Records were broken, mountains were climbed, legends departed, the power shifted...oh, never had test cricket been so full of endless possibilities.

However, the year was highlighted by the ongoing race to occupy the No. 1 spot in cricket. In the year Australia struggled to maintain its invincible aura, South Africa, India, & Sri Lanka took giant strides to heat up the battle.

The question always existed: What after this golden Australian XI? Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie—this was the Aussie lineup which sent down shivers across all teams' backs (Hussey is an exception, he only came in in 2005 & has been indispensable since).

The deadly accuracy of McGrath, the relentless hostility from Lee, the swing & movement of Gillespie, & the magic of Warne—the bowling lineup was one for the ages. The suffocating bowling was excellently supported by the top seven, which went for four runs an over regularly for well over 100 overs of exciting batting.

All these summed up to an exhilarating show by the Aussies day after day, month after month, year after year (up to 2008, that is). Yet,it was difficult to displace the notion that the signs were ominous once the core of this lineup departed, & how true those notions turned out to be!

Martyn went first, but his place has been ably taken over by Andrew Symonds. McGrath, Warne, & Langer went next; it was a huge blow for any team of any standard; yet,in a home series against Sri Lanka, those places were well taken over by Mitchell Johnson, Stuart MacGill, & Phil Jacques.

Then Gilchrist was lost, & although he was not the old destructive Adam Gilchrist in his later years, often faltering, his aura had a value of its own, like that of McGrath & Warne.

His place has been taken, also ably, by Brad Haddin, but by now it was clear the remaining warriors of that core had to take the bulk of the responsibility with remarkable consistency in these years of rebuilding. It wasn't to be.

Brett Lee, suffering from the pains of his marriage failure, lost all semblance of form; it became increasingly difficult for Matthew Hayden to keep his 37-year-old body responding with the same intensity & vigour; there was no spinner worth the wait after MacGill called it a day; the next crop of bowlers, Stuart Clark & Johnson, could not sustain a high level for a considerable period; & even Ricky Ponting & Michael Hussey, the two consistently high-powered run machines, have not been able to pull their weight regularly.

The Aussies found the going really difficult, & while they went through the horrors, a nation decided it was time they took over the baton.

South Africa began a magical run since they returned from Sri Lanka in 2006. They began to develop a fast bowler named Dale Steyn, who combines deadly pace with lethal swing, & should become the next fast bowling legend.

They developed a batsman in AB De Villiers, who can tear any attack apart & simultaneously play anchor to drive his team forward.

They developed a real sheet anchor in Ashwell Prince, who can be relied upon in any perilous situation; Hashim Amla became the most improved batsman in 2008; Morne Morkel is a fast bowler with great promise.

But most importantly, their leader became the most respected leader within 2008. Since 2006, Graeme Smith has failed as often as Bangladesh wins a match, has scored runs in almost every sort of conditions under all circumstances, has grown mellower & more articulate, & has been a talismanic presence.

The current South African team is an image of its captain. Their rise came full circle when the toppled the Aussies in Australia, & has already sent down signals everywhere that they are prepared to receive the champion's baton from Australia.

India & Sri Lanka took giant strides as well,but without a semblance of doubt, Graeme Smith's men have been the team of 2008.

South Africa take on Australia in South Africa in early 2009, which promises to be as mouth watering a contest as it was in Australia. As India & Sri Lanka jostle for the top spot, together with South Africa & Australia, we viewers can only wait in unending anticipation.