South Africa are as good a team as there is in the world, says Michael Clarke – Cricket News Update
Focused on the upcoming job in hand, Michael Clarke, the Australian captain, is excited about the next year’s Ashes but understands that the forthcoming series against South Africa is extremely crucial for his side, the opposition being the world’s best Test team.
The Kangaroos will be up against the Proteas in a three-match series, starting next month in Brisbane. The Aussies have a massive chance of becoming the number one ranked Test team once again, in case of a series victory over Graeme Smith and company.
South Africa snatched the top spot from England, having beaten them at their own backyard earlier this year.
However, dismantling Smith’s men will not be an easy task for the Baggy Greens as South Africa possesses one of the world’s finest fast bowling attacks in the presence of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander.
On top of that, the Proteas have some great batsmen like Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Smith himself.
Australia are scheduled to visit England next year but Clarke revealed that he is concentrating only on the South African series at the moment.
"We have some really tough opposition in South Africa, the No.1 side in Test cricket, coming to Australia very soon and our main focus is on that," he said. "England is always a tough series over there, the Ashes away and the Ashes at home, a very exciting 15 months.”
Clarke is all praise for South Africa’s recent performances in international cricket and feels that the Rainbow Nation deserves to be called the best Test side.
The middle-order batsman added, "South Africa are as good a team as there is in the world. They are not only strong with the ball but they have a lot of batting. It is really important for us to stay focused on them and not to look too far forward."
A number of Australian cricketers are taking part in the on-going Champions League T20 2012 in South Africa but the Aussie selectors have hinted to call back some of their senior players ahead of time in order to prepare well to take on the Proteas.
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