Proteas go No. 1

The Standard Bank ODI Proteas team moved to number 1 on the ODI world ranking after beating the Australian team on Friday night. The Proteas won the series 4-1 completing a record breaking tour down under.

The Proteas posted 288 runs as they batted first, Hashim Amla fell 3 runs short of scoring a century as he was out for 97 caught to Haddin off the bowling of Hopes. Amla and AB de Villiers partnered well with AB getting 60 runs and the now ever present JP Duminy hit 60*.

The Australians fought hard but were not up the challenge as debutant Tsotsobe took 4 wickets for 50 runs, Michale Hussy put in yet another quality performance scoring 78 runs albeit it at a slow strike rate.

This was one of the youngest team South Africa had fielded in a long time, but it showed that we have depth with in our team. This tour brougt JP Duminy into the international fold, leaving JP out of any future team will be a difficult decision. It’s was also a display of quality coaching and team management, Cricket South Africa will be wanting to keep this winning formula together until the World Cup 2011.