Test mace and ODI shield to be presented to Ponting and Smith
Media conference set for Wanderers Club on Wednesday as Australia and South Africa captains will also pick up cheques for US$175,000 as their teams will be top of the Test and ODI tables at 1 April cut-off.
The presentation of the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship mace and the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship shield plus prize money cheques will be made to the captains of the Australia and South Africa teams in Johannesburg on Wednesday 25 March.
The ceremony will take place at the Wanderers Club, 21 North Road, Illovo, Johannesburg (NOT Wanderers Stadium), at 1230 (South Africa
time) on Wednesday and the presentations will be made by David Richardson, ICC General Manager - Cricket.
Captain Ricky Ponting will accept the mace and a cheque for US175,000 on behalf of Cricket Australia for leading the team that finishes top of the Test Championship table on the annual cut-off date of 1 April. He will also pick up a cheque for US$75,000 for coming second in the ODI Championship on the same date.
Meanwhile, Graeme Smith will accept the shield and a cheque for US$175,000 on behalf of Cricket South Africa in recognition of his team finishing top of the ODI Championship table. He will also accept a cheque for US$75,000 for being second in the Test Championship on the 1 April cut-off.
There will be a photo opportunity and an opportunity for a brief question-and-answer session with both captains and Mr Richardson. All bona fide members of the media are invited to attend. Please be in place to begin the presentation ceremony no later than 1215 on Wednesday.
WHO: Ricky Ponting, Graeme Smith, David Richardson
WHAT: Presentation of Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship mace and ODI Championship shield along with winners' and runners-up's cheques
WHERE: Wanderers Club, 21 North Road, Illovo, Johannesburg (NOT Wanderers Stadium)
WHEN: Wednesday 25 March at 1230 (SA time)
Before the Test series that finished in Cape Town on Sunday, Australia's lead in the Test Championship had been cut to five ratings points and a series win of any kind would have been enough for South Africa to go top. But after its disappointment of losing 2-1 at home to the Proteas, Australia emerged stronger and more determined than ever to stay on top of the world and managed to secure a 2-1 series win of its own.
Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship (as of 23 March)
1 Australia 128
2 South Africa 119
3 India 118
4 Sri Lanka 108
5 Pakistan 100
6 England 98
7 West Indies 89
8 New Zealand 81
9 Bangladesh 0
(Developed by David Kendix)
Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship (as of 23 March)
1 South Africa 125
2 Australia 124
3 India 122
4 New Zealand 112
5 Pakistan 111
6 England 107
7 Sri Lanka 105
8 West Indies 92
9 Bangladesh 46
10 Zimbabwe 23
11 Ireland 19
12 Kenya 0
(Developed by David Kendix)
For information on the ICC Player Rankings go to:
www.reliancemobileiccrankings.com
