India retain ICC Test Championship mace

[MenInG]

India have retained the ICC Test Championship mace and have also won an award of $1million after their victory in the Johannesburg Test ensured that South Africa cannot move ahead of them in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings at the 3 April cut-off date, even if they go on to win all four Tests against Australia in March.

India had arrived in South Africa last month on 124 points, with South Africa 13 points behind on 111 points. However, Virat Kohli’s men will return on 121 points as opposed to South Africa’s 115 points, which will be good enough for them to keep possession of the prestigious ICC Test Championship mace for the second year in succession at the April cut-off.

India keep hold of the ICC Test Championship mace India keep hold of the ICC Test Championship mace
Kohli had become the 10th captain since 2002 to get his hands on the mace when he had received it from Sunil Gavaskar following the Indore Test against New Zealand in 2016.

Had South Africa pulled off a 3-0 series win against India, then a win by 2-0 or better against Australia would have helped them reclaim the mace they had last won in 2015.

Now, South Africa will have to win at least one Test against Australia to retain second place in the Test table, which, in turn, will earn them $500,000. In this scenario, Australia will pocket $200,000 for a third place finish. However, if Australia win by 3-0 or 4-0, then they will leapfrog South Africa into second place.

The winner of the two-Test New Zealand v England series, which will also be played in March, will decide the side that finishes fourth on the table and will take home $100,000. A drawn series will mean New Zealand will finish ahead of England.

Kohli will be presented with the mace, which is a symbol of excellence and a recognition of a side’s outstanding performance in the purest format of the game, and a cheque of $1million in a presentation ceremony, the details of which will be announced in due course.

The cut-off for this year has been adjusted to 3 April, which is the final day of the four-Test series between South Africa and Australia in Johannesburg, as well as last day of the two-Test series between New Zealand and England in Christchurch.

Below is the list of teams finishing at number-one at the April cut-off:

2003 – Australia

2004 – Australia

2005 – Australia

2006 – Australia

2007 – Australia

2008 – Australia

2009 – Australia

2010 – India

2011 – India

2012 – England

2013 – South Africa

2014 – South Africa

2015 – South Africa

2016 – Australia

2017 – India

2018 - India

MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings (after the conclusion of South Africa v India Test series):

Rank Team Points

India 121 (-3)
South Africa 115 (+4)
Australia 104
New Zealand 100
England 99
Sri Lanka 94
Pakistan 88
Windies 72
Bangladesh 72
Zimbabwe 01

 

[Chief Destroyer]

They deserve it. I can see them beating England. Though they need to replace Ishant with an actual test class pacer.

 

[MenInG]

Congratulations to India and our Indian PPers

 

[Buffet]

India has done well. I don't think they have lost many tests in the last 2 years. Next year cut off can see either SA or Aus finishing on top.

 

[shaz619]

It's all about the mace, congrats to India fans. I always put such wins on a pedestal, they may not have won the series but competed well and won a game which is huge for an away team in SA that too from asia

 

[Tyler Durden]

They deserve it. I can see them beating England. Though they need to replace Ishant with an actual test class pacer.

Bumrah has already replaced Ishant! With Bhuvi, Bumrah and Shami we have a brilliant pace attack to take 20 wickets!

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Congrats team. Hopefully we win/ draw in ENG. Need to retain the mace for 1 more year till the overseas tours are over.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Bumrah has already replaced Ishant! With Bhuvi, Bumrah and Shami we have a brilliant pace attack to take 20 wickets!

It's not brilliant but good enough in the right conditions. Your batting will still have to carry bulk of the responsibility and they're capable.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

They deserve it. I can see them beating England. Though they need to replace Ishant with an actual test class pacer.

Ishant is second fiddle but still a good helping act for other strike bowlers, Bhuvi, Umesh (in form), Shami and Bumrah are top 4 pacers for us.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

It's not brilliant but good enough in the right conditions. Your batting will still have to carry bulk of the responsibility and they're capable.

Batting is weak, Kohli, Rahane, Pujara and VJ - last 2 play slow and are not so consistent. Hopefully we get some new comers to fill 2 vacant spots.

KL Rahul has been a failure this series

 

[AuxiliA]

So after all, it wasn't just a dead rubber.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

They deserve it. I can see them beating England. Though they need to replace Ishant with an actual test class pacer.

Do you believe Hardik will one day perform like a full time bat (who can bowl) so as to justify the AR spot in future tours?

What do you feel about 3 full time pacers and 2 full time spinners in all conditions except a few pitches?

 

[Sarwar89]

PCB needs to start taking Test Cricket more seriously. BCCI takes its Test Cricket very seriously so does ECB and ACB. I amnot too sure about South African board. Since the retirement of G Smith, they have lost bit of interest in Test Cricket.

 

[Savage]

I think this series has pretty much confirmed that we are deservingly no 1 in Test.

But I'm still not happy with 2-1 series result.This was our best opportunity to win series in SA and we kind of choked.

 

[ace58]

Basically to be number 1 all you have to do is avoid getting white washed. I think India is the only team that hasn't been whitewashed in while?

 

[Buffet]

Basically to be number 1 all you have to do is avoid getting white washed. I think India is the only team that hasn't been whitewashed in while?

You need to win heavily at home otherwise simply avoiding whitewash is not going to be enough.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Do you believe Hardik will one day perform like a full time bat (who can bowl) so as to justify the AR spot in future tours?

What do you feel about 3 full time pacers and 2 full time spinners in all conditions except a few pitches?

Yes. All rounders take time to develop. Just be patient. He's already shown his potential in glimpses.

Except pitches with grass I'm guessing. That would take Pandya out of the team, I'd be against it. If the pitch is really dry, then you can opt for two-two and Pandya. Though personally, away from home, I'd always choose 3 full time seamers.

 

[Sarwar89]

I think this series has pretty much confirmed that we are deservingly no 1 in Test.

But I'm still not happy with 2-1 series result.This was our best opportunity to win series in SA and we kind of choked.

No. The best opportunity was in 2006.

 

[Oligochaetes]

7 year domination by Australia. Mind blowing. What a team they had!

Congrats to India for the mace. Let's see what happens next year.

 

[Saurav]

Do you believe Hardik will one day perform like a full time bat (who can bowl) so as to justify the AR spot in future tours?

What do you feel about 3 full time pacers and 2 full time spinners in all conditions except a few pitches?

Hardik is decent for no. 6/7. Anyway we play likes of Rohit as extra bat

Would prefer one spinner unless pitch like Centurion.But that will change according to situation.I rate both equally

 

[AuxiliA]

Retaining the Test Mace in 2019 will be the biggest achievement for India. Bigger than any of the ICC trophies. Hope that Kohli & Co. are up for it!

 

[Manager101]

India have retained the ICC Test Championship mace and have also won an award of $1million after their victory in the Johannesburg Test ensured that South Africa cannot move ahead of them in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings at the 3 April cut-off date, even if they go on to win all four Tests against Australia in March.

India had arrived in South Africa last month on 124 points, with South Africa 13 points behind on 111 points. However, Virat Kohli’s men will return on 121 points as opposed to South Africa’s 115 points, which will be good enough for them to keep possession of the prestigious ICC Test Championship mace for the second year in succession at the April cut-off.

India keep hold of the ICC Test Championship mace India keep hold of the ICC Test Championship mace
Kohli had become the 10th captain since 2002 to get his hands on the mace when he had received it from Sunil Gavaskar following the Indore Test against New Zealand in 2016.

Had South Africa pulled off a 3-0 series win against India, then a win by 2-0 or better against Australia would have helped them reclaim the mace they had last won in 2015.

Now, South Africa will have to win at least one Test against Australia to retain second place in the Test table, which, in turn, will earn them $500,000. In this scenario, Australia will pocket $200,000 for a third place finish. However, if Australia win by 3-0 or 4-0, then they will leapfrog South Africa into second place.

The winner of the two-Test New Zealand v England series, which will also be played in March, will decide the side that finishes fourth on the table and will take home $100,000. A drawn series will mean New Zealand will finish ahead of England.

Kohli will be presented with the mace, which is a symbol of excellence and a recognition of a side’s outstanding performance in the purest format of the game, and a cheque of $1million in a presentation ceremony, the details of which will be announced in due course.

The cut-off for this year has been adjusted to 3 April, which is the final day of the four-Test series between South Africa and Australia in Johannesburg, as well as last day of the two-Test series between New Zealand and England in Christchurch.

Below is the list of teams finishing at number-one at the April cut-off:

2003 – Australia

2004 – Australia

2005 – Australia

2006 – Australia

2007 – Australia

2008 – Australia

2009 – Australia

2010 – India

2011 – India

2012 – England

2013 – South Africa

2014 – South Africa

2015 – South Africa

2016 – Australia

2017 – India

2018 - India

MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings (after the conclusion of South Africa v India Test series):

Rank Team Points

India 121 (-3)
South Africa 115 (+4)
Australia 104
New Zealand 100
England 99
Sri Lanka 94
Pakistan 88
Windies 72
Bangladesh 72
Zimbabwe 01

In one of those years Pakistan also won Test Championship Mace, or am I missing something ?

 

[MenInG]

In one of those years Pakistan also won Test Championship Mace, or am I missing something ?

Did not retain it for the cut off date

 

[Princejain191]

Do you believe Hardik will one day perform like a full time bat (who can bowl) so as to justify the AR spot in future tours?

What do you feel about 3 full time pacers and 2 full time spinners in all conditions except a few pitches?

Think Pandya can be pretty handy 4th fast bowler when it swings. He can actually move it both ways at 130+ and be consistent. The kind of bowler that can do well in England. Lets hope he becomes more responsible with the bat. Otherwise, can be a really good investment.

 

[Tusker]

We were unlucky to have had 3 Test matches washed out during the last 2-3 years that we would have most certainly won ( 1 in WI, 1 vs SA in 2015, 1 vs SL ) . That plus a better selection in the first 2 tests would have given us a great chance of winning a Series in SA and put us nearer to the 130 mark by now. Ohh well ..
[MENTION=142162]Napa[/MENTION]

 

[Napa]

We were unlucky to have had 3 Test matches washed out during the last 2-3 years that we would have most certainly won ( 1 in WI, 1 vs SA in 2015, 1 vs SL ) . That plus a better selection in the first 2 tests would have given us a great chance of winning a Series in SA and put us nearer to the 130 mark by now. Ohh well ..
[MENTION=142162]Napa[/MENTION]

After the performance in SA, I am optimistic that we have the bowling to succeed in Eng, NZ, and AUS. So 130 may not be out of reach in the next couple of years if we do not make stupid mistakes in selecting our batting lineup.

These are the averages of the SA batsmen in the India series, followed by their career averages:

Elgar 41.4, 42.1
ABD 35.2, 49.9
Amla 33.8, 49.1
Faf 30.5, 45.1
Markram 23.3, 52
de Kock 11.8, 39.6

It bodes well for the Indian team abroad if our bowlers are able to hold batsmen so far below their career averages on their home ground.

 

[Napa]

Congrats to India for the mace. Let's see what happens next year.

Will be rooting for Aus against SA in March/April

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Basically to be number 1 all you have to do is avoid getting white washed. I think India is the only team that hasn't been whitewashed in while?

Yep. Last time we were whitewashed was back in early 2012 in Australia. And no. Saffers also haven't been whitewashed for longer having narrowly avoided one in India. Every other team has been whitewashed at one time or the other.

 

[Moh@n]

Do you believe Hardik will one day perform like a full time bat (who can bowl) so as to justify the AR spot in future tours?

I will have Ashwin over Pandya for tests and vice versa for ODIs. Similarly Rahane for tests over Rohit and Rohit over Rahane for ODIs.

We need to be capable enough to take such decisions. Look at Aaron Finch for instance, there is a reason he does not play tests.

 

[Hasan123]

Well done to India they deserve it. They will feel as though they could have won the series vs South Africa had they made the right selection calls. I think if they select the right team versus England, they could draw the series. India have a very good chance of doing well in England.

 

[big_gamer007]

Such a missed opportunity to win the series wish we had played our best team in all three matches.. Oh well let’s hope kohli and Shastri play the best team in England/NZ/Aus would suck if they give Rohit a chance over rahane again and lose us series over here

 

[Abdullah719]

Kohli presented with ICC Test Championship mace

India captain Virat Kohli was today presented with the prestigious ICC Test Championship Mace as his team retained the top spot in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings.

On behalf of the ICC, the mace was presented by ICC Cricket Hall of Famers Sunil Gavaskar and Graeme Pollock at a ceremony in Cape Town at the conclusion of India’s tour of South Africa.

India ensured the number one spot on the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings and a prize of $1 million after their victory in the Johannesburg Test against South Africa last month ensured that no team can move ahead of them in the Test rankings at the 3 April cut-off date.

India won the prize for a second year running and have now been at the top of the rankings since October 2016. They have also been at the top two times before under Kohli – in January-February 2016 and in August 2016. India’s longest stint at the number-one position was from November 2009 to August 2011, when Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the captain.

The other captains to have received the mace are Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith (all Australia), Andrew Strauss (England), Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla (both South Africa) and Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan).

India captain Virat Kohli: “It’s truly a great feeling to hold the ICC Test Championship mace again, which is an acknowledgement of our success in the truest format of the game.

“We’re proud of the way we have performed in Test matches over the past couple of years and our performances have reflected in the rankings. The quality of a side is judged in the way players step up when needed, and that is what our boys have done time and again.

“It is heartening to be at the top of the Test rankings in an era when it’s challenging to do consistently well across formats. But that is something that we have managed fairly well and something that I’d like my team to continue doing with their hard work and determination.

“I’d like to thank all players who have been part of our squads during this period and also the support staff for contributing to our success and for helping out in different aspects of the game. I’d also like to thank all our fans for supporting us across the globe.”

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson: “India has been simply outstanding in Test cricket over the last twelve months and I’d like to congratulate Virat and his team for retaining the Mace. They have produced some memorable moments that will go down in Test match history.

“They are certainly deserving of their number one ranking doing so much to attract fans around the world to Test cricket with their entertaining and attacking style of play and great quality of cricket.”

ICC Cricket Hall of Famer Sunil Gavaskar: “It’s really nice to be handing over the ICC Test Championship mace once again to the Indian captain. It’s really a huge achievement to do well continuously in Test cricket and Virat should be a really proud man to have led his side to such success in this format.

“Test cricket always tests the class of players and to be acknowledged as the best in the format by the game’s world governing body is really a moment of great pride. Congratulations to Virat and the boys for this accomplishment and wish them all the best for the future.”

ICC Cricket Hall of Famer Graeme Pollock: “It’s a privilege to be part of this occasion. I’d like to congratulate the Indian team for their consistent performances in Test cricket and Virat for leading the team to continued success.

“It’s a big achievement to become the best in any field and it’s even more difficult to remain at the top. Virat and his boys have done that and deserve every bit of praise in this regard. This shows their fortitude and I am sure they are destined for more success. I wish them all the best for the coming years.”

About the Mace

The Mace was produced by the then British Crown Jeweller, Asprey & Garrard, in 2001, which was commissioned to make a distinctive prize designed to stand out from other cricket trophies.

The designers produced a 90cm silver and gold-plated trophy based on a cricket stump as its shank, topped by an orb that represents the cricket world – both geographically and through the inclusion of the emblems of all 10 ICC Members that have played Test cricket.

The stump and the orb combine to portray the Mace, regarded as a symbol of authority and prestige. This is regarded as an appropriate combination given the rich history of Test cricket and its image as the most traditional and purest form of the game.

The Mace sits on a wooden base with a silver-plated plaque in front with room for engravings of the sides to hold it.

The Mace was valued at £30,000 in 2001 and automatically passes from one team to another as results confirm a change of leadership in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings table.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/628218