Test cricket always seems to surprise you when you least expect it to, the Ashes was not the most exciting series for the neutrals, the English may argue but the result was not surprising against an Australian team that needs major surgery. Once again New Zealand and Pakistan and South Africa and India produced a fascinating cricket keeping the 5 day game the pinnacle of the sport.
The contest between South Africa and India was another epic series between the two, the first test was one sided as you can get but this should not be a surprise with India who always start poorly in the first test. But they way the came back at Durban on a wicket that was not suppose to suit them but they showed all the skills that took them to number one in the world. This Indian team have shown that they can compete on wickets that do not suit them, having won at Centurion, Durban, Perth & Headingley to name a few.
The last day of the 3rd test an anti climax as both teams were happy for the draw which was surprising that South Africa did not go for the win, meaning they have not beaten a number one ranked team at home, and the last 3 series at home they have drawn 1-1 to England and India and lost to 2-1 to Australia. India went into the series South Africa series having a horrendous record after the first test mauling they could have lost 3-0 and there number one ranking, they will be disappointed not having won the series but to draw the series should be seen as a good result.
The test series that cricket fans should keep an eye on is the New Zealand and Pakistan; once again the first test was fascinating which Pakistan won inside 3 days. These are two teams who are bottom of the rankings but they still continue to produce some of the most exciting cricket. New Zealand are in one of there worst pits in the international career as they lack the quality to compete on a regular basis but for Pakistan it is another story with all the problems they have they still continue to have quality players to pick and compete. They had a respectable drawn series with South Africa and in the first test they over-powered and crushed New Zealand with there vast quality.
If Pakistan could keep there house in order, play at home and stop all these problems they keep on inflicting on themselves they will be competing with the likes of India, South Africa and England at the top of the table.
