What ever the end result is at the end of the one day series between South Africa and India it has been an outstanding test and one day series. Both series have gone down to the last match of the series and with the weather it looks as if the one day series may end as a draw as well and you cannot argue against the result as there is hardly anything to split the two teams.
South Africa may say in both the first test and the first one day match they humiliated India and they have had the edge. What will wrangle with Smith is that did not take advantage of there position and we could be taking about a historic series win for South Africa but on Sunday evening there are questions about both teams to argue who is a deserving to be number one.
Once again South Africa have failed to deal with the extreme pressure when they have the opportunities to finish of India and there performances in the 2nd test and the 2nd one day is a major concern as it seems to be a continuous pattern which seems to be haunting South African cricket. The quote for having a number of coloured players is not allowing Smith to choose the best squad to win major ICC tournaments or major series on a regular basis.
Whether rains saves India or not on Sunday this will be seen as a successful tour for them but they should also see it as a missed opportunity where they had a chance on the 5th day of the Cape Town test to go and win the series and in the 4th match of the series they could have ensured the weather would not have mattered what happened on Sunday. After the performance in the first test everyone in India may have thought not again and it could have been the worst preparation for the world cup which is played at home. But this Indian team either in the test or one day series have shown a huge amount of character and strength to come back in a country where they have a horrendous record.
India will always be the most debated number one team in the world but it seems they will even end 2011 as number one team which will take there stretch to two years where South Africa only lasted less then a year. South Africa have played all the big boys so there chance of reclaiming the number one ranking looks very unlikely in the near future and India’s may challengers are England who they play home and away in 2011 then a tour to Australia which was going to be India’s toughest 12 months for there number one ranking. If England is to continue there upwards revival beat India home and away and with South Africa touring in 2012 they will be on course to overtake India.
Test cricket is alive and kicking……………………
