I think one of the 3 tests may end up being a draw as Smith is still a negative skipper as well as being out of form.

Nzl pitches are generally bowling friendly so draws can be ruled out unless test/s are marred by bad weather.But Nzl are renowned for not giving up till last ball and they will not let 0-3 happen easily.

I can't believe a 3-0 result is necessary to get top spot, they're only one point behind England in rankings.

Hope must have something to do with previous results between the 2 nations?

Kash that has nothing to do with it, because NZ are low in the rankings a top team doesn't get great credit for a win, however it's an away series which is worth more. On the other hand NZ will get more points if they win as Pakistan did v England.

Whatever the ranking suggests,I consider South Africa to be the best Cricket team.
Their last 2 test series against top team(latest, previous)
1.Australia: (draw,win)
2.India(d.d)
3.England(d, w)
4.Pakistan(d,w)
And South Africa unlike most other teams(excluding Australia) can play cricket in all conditions ie Subcontinent.Infact they are the only team that India are not being able to win at home or away.Even, Australia in recent times have struggled in India, what to say of other countries.
So I count South Africa as the best test team and good in all conditions.Same cant be said of England of course.But Australia in my mind will be the the best team in another 5 years.

Against Australia its (draw, lost) otherwise 10/10 for your stats.
Under all condition, South Africa seems to be the best team but they have not bulldozed any opposition at home or away as England dominated Australia in Australia and later India in England whereas South Africa lost a test at HOME against Australia and Srilanka at a time when both were/are going through serious rebuilding.On the other hand the counter argument is that SouthAfrica has not lost a test series away for a long while and England were whitewashed by Pakistan just recently.
England v SouthAfrica in summer can be regarded as test championship final, winner gets the crown.

SA are a fine team but their recent successes have not been as commanding as those of England.
The upcoming series will decide who has bragging rights for a while.

Right now, under all conditions including Asia, SouthAfrica is no 1 but if we exclude Asia then England takes the no 1 spot.

Right now, under all conditions including Asia, SouthAfrica is no 1 but if we exclude Asia then England takes the no 1 spot.

South Africa only won there first home series since 2007 against Sri Lanka?

Kash

I think they defeated West Indies at their home in 2008.Since then, opposition they have played at home has been Australia, England ,India (just prior to World Cup when their current veteran were in top form),Australia and Srilanka.Other than Srilanka,rest were fairly tough to beat.Additionally, their away record has been fantastic.

1 England 41 4830 118
2 South Africa 28 3277 117

England have played 41 games SA 28 which shows how inaccurate these rankings can be are in deciding the top team.

Windies series that I am referring to was Pollock's last.

hope for

Whats the problem?It should be as per average rather than team benefiting because they have played more games.
South African beating Nzl 3-0 in Nzl is fairly low and on top of that, SouthAfrica always crumble when they are on verge of attaining a significant milestone.If I can recall correctly, they had a similar opportunity when Aus toured them in 09 but they lost 1-2.

PR I don't see it as a benefit to play more games unless they are against weak teams. Playing more games means risking losing.

Saying Eng is the best team if you remove Asia is convenient, silly and highly debatable.

wtf? SA clearly the best team in all conditions...except their own? They lost a Test Match to Sri Lanka at home! And before that series, when was the last time they won a series at home?

This really is the forum of knee jerk reactions. SA are a very good side, but a deeply flawed side like any other in the world at the moment. It is impossible to say with such conviction who is the best.

It wouldn't surprise me if they steam rolled NZ 3-0, it wouldn't be surprised if they collapsed in one or even two of the Tests.

Also, NZ have a decent bowling attack. If SA are asked to bat under the tiniest bit of pressure...

Good luck to all the teams, that is what I say

Well said Maksi but of course a little extra for us.