ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat congratulated India for finishing the calendar year as the numero uno Test team in the world following their second Test win over South Africa in Kolkata.
India clinched a series-levelling innings and 57 run victory over the visitors at Eden Gardens on Thursday to remain atop the ICC Test Championship ranking at the annual cut-off date of April 1.
“Congratulations to Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his India side on their remarkable achievement.
“I have written to both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) to congratulate them on an outstanding series. The final Test in Kolkata again underlined the unique attraction of Test match cricket, which is the pinnacle of our great sport,” Lorgat said in a statement.
It is the first time in seven years that Australia has not been the number one Test-playing side at the cut-off date.
Although Bangladesh will host England for a two-Test series, while Australia will travel to New Zealand for another two-Test series before April 1, situation at the top of the table is such that none of the four teams, no matter what is the outcome of the series, is capable of achieving the premier position, an ICC release said.
Lorgat also appreciated the contest in the second Test, during which the hosts managed to thwart a stubborn resistance from Hashim Amla and the tailenders to clinch the victory.
“This titanic struggle follows on similarly captivating Test matches in Cardiff, Centurion, Cape Town, Sydney, Perth and Dunedin and demonstrates once again why Test match cricket captivates broadcasters, media, spectators and television viewers across the globe,” Lorgat said.
“Test cricket continues from strength to strength and I believe that the competitiveness of the sort we witnessed in Kolkata underlines that belief,” he added.
