29 Mar 2013

South Africa handed Test Championship mace

8:52 am on 29 March 2013

South Africa were officially rewarded for their number one test status after being handed the International Cricket Council Test Championship mace.

It is the first time since the current ranking system was introduced in 2003 that South Africa has finished as the number one test side on the April 1 cut-off date.

South Africa are the fourth team after Australia, India and England to hold the mace.

The Proteas have 128 ranking points at the top of the ICC Test Championship, 14 ahead of second-placed England.

They are followed by India (112), Australia (110) and Pakistan (104).