From a Pretty Flower To Number One In The World

Congratulations to the South African Proteas on their magnificent series win in Australia.

This was the first home series defeat suffered by the Australians in sixteen years. The last time that they lost a home series was against the West Indies in 1992-93.

This series win is the first since South Africa began touring Australia, the first of which was in the 1910-11 season.

South Africa's only partial successes in Australia came on the 1952-53 tour which ended 2-2 in a five-match series, a 1-1 series draw in a five-match series in 1963-64, and in 1993-94, when they drew 1-1 in a three-match series.

South Africa has recorded series wins in South Africa since the first tour to this country by Australia in 1902-03. The South Africans had to wait until the 1966-67 season when they beat the Australians 3-1 in a five-match series.

Arguably, their best achievement came in the four-match series in the 1970 tour where they slammed the Australians 4-0. There has only been one home-drawn series (1-1) in the 1994 three-match series.

This victory now places the Proteas (South Africa) at the summit of the ICC Rankings.

This has been an excellent year for South Africa with eleven wins and two losses. There have been series wins against the West Indies, Bangladesh twice, England and now Australia. The two losses were against India in the 1-1 drawn series in India and England in the 2-1 series win in England.

While it must be said that Graeme Smith's captaincy has improved immeasurably during this latest series, former England Ashes winning coach Duncan Fletcher and former Protea opening batsman, now coach of the victorious Indian side who masterminded their recent series win against Australia has no doubt assisted him.

With Mickey (Mouse) Arthur's previous track record, one doubts very much whether he has had that much to do with South Africa's finest hour in Australia.

Well done to the Proteas, but beware the Australians. They now have an added incentive on their forthcoming tour to South Africa.