South Africa got the perfect send-off to the ICC Cricket World Cup on Wednesday when its captain Graeme Smith was presented with the ICC ODI Championship Shield following the Proteas’ move to the top of the LG ICC ODI Championship table, the only official team rankings in that form of the game.
Smith’s side assumed first place from Australia earlier this month following an outstanding run of results over the past year, which has seen the team win 15 of its past 21 matches, including seven of the last eight it has completed.
It is the first time a side has overtaken Australia in the LG ICC ODI Championship table since the listings began in October 2002.
And if South Africa is still top on 1 April it will win US$175,000 for being there; the side that is placed second at that time will pick up US$75,000.
The shield was presented to Smith in Johannesburg by a representative of the Championship’s sponsor, LG Electronics, as the Proteas prepared to fly to the Caribbean for a tilt at the ICC Cricket World Cup, a prize that has eluded the side since its return to international cricket just over 15 years ago.
Commenting on South Africa’s receipt of the ICC ODI Championship Shield, Smith said: "This a great honour and a deserved reward for all the hard work the team has put in over the past 18 months.
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