Proteas surge ahead in rankings

The Proteas received a timely rankings boost yesterday that could see them continue their domination of Test cricket for a long time to come.

South Africa extended their advantage over Australia from six points to 22 points at the top of the International Cricket Council’s rankings following the annual update, which saw the results from 2011/12 dropped from the calculations and outcomes from the 2013/14 series halved to 50%.

These calculations have resulted in the Proteas’ previous lead of six points to increase by a further 16 points owing to Hashim Amla’s side gaining six points and Australia dropping 10 points.

South Africa lead with 130 points, followed by the Aussies on 108 and New Zealand and India nine points further adrift on 99.

Amla (right) has in the meantime been nominated along with national team-mates AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn for Cricket South Africa’s top prize.

The quintet is in line for the SA Cricketer-of-the-Year award, the highest individual honour on offer, while Amla is also nominated in the Test Cricketer-of-the-Year and ODI Player-of-the-Year categories.

He is joined on the five-day game shortlist by Dean Elgar and Steyn, while current holder De Villiers, Morkel and Imran Tahir join the Proteas’ Test captain on the shortlist for ODI Cricketer-ofthe-Year.

David Wiese, Faf du Plessis and Morne van Wyk are in line for the Ticketpro International T20 Cricketer-of -the -Year prize.

The awards take place on June 3 at Gallagher Estate in Midrand. – Own Correspondent