South Africa's lead under threat from Australia

ICC Media Release

April 22, 2003

South Africa can extend its lead at the top of the ICC Test Championship table with victory over Bangladesh in the two-Test series that starts on Wednesday 23rd April, but is still in danger of losing top spot to Australia.

This is the first time that South Africa has played Test cricket in Bangladesh and a series win will boost its average to 1.61 (29 points from 18 series).

However, with Australia ahead in their four-match series against West Indies, even victory may not be enough for South Africa to hold on to their lead in the ICC Test Championship for long.

A series win for Australia will boost its points tally to 21 from 13 series, taking its average up to 1.62 which is 0.03 higher than South Africa's current average and crucially 0.01 more than the current leaders can amass even with a series win.

South Africa and Bangladesh played their first ever head-to-head series in South Africa in October 2002 with the home side winning 2-0.

Bangladesh is still looking for an inaugural Test victory. It will not be allocated an average score until it has played nine of the possible 18 Test series.

Team         Played Won Lost Drawn Points Average
South Africa       17   13    3    1     27     1.59
Australia          13    9    2    2     20     1.54
New Zealand        17    8    5    4     20     1.18
Sri Lanka          16    8    6    2     18     1.13
England            16    6    6    4     16     1.00
India              15    5    6    4     14     0.93
West Indies        17    7    9    1     15     0.88
Pakistan           16    4    8    4     12     0.75
Zimbabwe           16    3   11    2      8     0.50
Bangladesh          7    -    7    -      0      -

Clive Lloyd from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Referees will officiate in the matches which both take place in Dhaka while New Zealander Billy Bowden will undertake his first Test assignment since being appointed to the Emirates Elite Panel of Umpires. Bowden will stand with his experienced colleague Steve Bucknor.

Media note:

At a meeting in Johannesburg 22nd March, the ICC Board agreed a new format for the ICC Test Championship which recognises the rewards and result of each Test match played.

The new system will be introduced from the beginning of June and further details will be announced prior to this official launch date.

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Series/Tournaments

South Africa tour of Bangladesh

Teams

Australia

Bangladesh

England

India

New Zealand

Pakistan

South Africa

Sri Lanka

West Indies

Zimbabwe

Grounds

Bangabandhu National Stadium

MA Aziz Stadium