Michael Clarke says No.1 Test ranking still far off – Cricket News Update
Despite Australia’s recent 2-0 Test series win against the West Indies, which propelled them to the 3rd spot on http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 has refused to get carried away, insisting that the top spot on the list is still a
long way off.
“I think we're ranked third now, so I still think we're a way off that. We need a lot of improvement to become the number one team,” Clarke said.
The Aussies plummeted in the rankings after their humiliating Ashes defeat at home in late 2010/early 2011, while England climbed upwards, upsetting team India’s top spot after securing a 4-0 series win in the Pataudi Trophy late last year.
However, their recent win in the Caribbean has brought http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, who have been pushed down to number 4.
Clarke however, has stressed the need for the team to maintain consistency in their performances, in order to have a shot at the coveted top spot.
“It's not just about one series or one summer - it's consistency that gets you to be the number one ranking,” he pointed out.
“We as players don't consider ourselves as the number one Test team but we know that is a goal we're working to,” he added.
Clarke, who took over for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377 after the World Cup last year, has had a successful first season as captain, having steered the team through without a single defeat. Claiming that he was thoroughly enjoying his captaincy, Clarke added that he had
been fortunate to have “some other great leaders” in the team, in addition to “wonderful support staff”.
“The captain is only as good as his stock. They put me in a position to be able to take a risk or declare, and that's only because I have confidence in them.”
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760, and the tour, which resulted in ODI and T20 series draws, and a 2-0 win in the Test leg, became
another feather in the 31-year-old’s cap.
The national team now has a 6-month break from the extended-overs format of the game, but will have an opportunity to increase their rankings as they prepare to face South Africa for a Test series in the second half of 2012.
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