South Africa reach the summit

Unbeaten in 10 Tests, a notable nine away from home, South Africa ended England's year-long reign at the summit with a convincing 20 win in a three-match series and then battled for two draws in Australia before a commanding 309run victory in the third Test at Perth

LONDON, Dec 21, 2012 (AFP) - South Africa enjoyed a superb 2012 as they went to the top of the world Test rankings.

Meanwhile, after years of declining performances, the West Indies won the World Twenty20.

Unbeaten in 10 Tests, a notable nine away from home, South Africa ended England's year-long reign at the summit with a convincing 2-0 win in a three-match series and then battled for two draws in Australia before a commanding 309-run victory in the third Test at Perth.

Graeme Smith, now the most-capped Test captain of all-time, scored a hundred in his 100th Test at The Oval and the same match saw Hashim Amla became the first South African to score a Test triple hundred,

Dale Steyn led a formidable pace attack featuring Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and the seemingly ageless all-rounder Jacques Kallis.

However, there was one sadness for South Africa in the premature retirement of wicketkeeper Mark Bouch- er following a freak eye injury suffered against Somerset in a tour match.

With the Ashes in England set to be the key Test series of 2013, Smith was well-placed to assess both sides.

“The challenge for Australia is going to be winning in England,” said Smith. “Being a home series for England, they will be favourites.”West Indies gave their long-suffering fans something to celebrate when they beat hosts Sri Lanka in the World Twenty20 final.