Top 10 longest streaks as the No 1 Test team
3. South Africa – 21 months
South Africa rose to the top spot in the ICC Test ranking for the 2nd time in the history of the game after a formidable season of 2012. Under the leadership of Graeme Smith, South Africa registered impressive series wins over England, New Zealand and Australia. Smith was the key architect for them in that season with 825 runs under his belt at an average close to 50.
South Africa sat comfortably at the top spot for 21 months spanning from November 2009 to May 2014. They were joint leaders during the phase of 2011 to 2012 along with England. They dethroned India from the top spot. Their good performances, accompanied by India’s poor show in their tour of England, saw them rise to the top spot in the rankings.
South Africa played 31 matches in this phase of dominion of 21 months and won 15 of them. They drew 10 games and lost only 6 with an impressive win/loss ratio of 2.5. They lost their position at the top for a brief while to Australia but regained the top spot in July 2014.
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