England v South Africa: Looking out for number one

Can England hold on to number one?

England will be furious is the Proteas rob them of their ODI world number one ranking as well as their Test team top spot. Frank Gregan can't wait until the second ODI on Tuesday...

I know a guy who is rather keen on the sauce. He possesses the mentality that it's never too early in the day to indulge as he works his way towards the Betty Ford clinic. One of his favourite sayings as he knocks back a gin and tonic at lunchtime is: "It's eight o'clock at night somewhere in the world."

That's the trouble with cricket at the highest level, it's always summer somewhere in the world. As the English summer draws to an end, it doesn't bring down the curtain on the international game, quite the opposite, as England have to prepare for the T20 World Cup at the end of September in Sri Lanka, followed by a tour of India where the first Test starts on November 15.

Critics say there's so much cricket that it's in danger of becoming meaningless. England lost the Test series to South Africa, but so what? There's a one day series starting three days later, so let's move on. England lose the one day series to South Africa, but so what? There's a T20 World cup starting in a week or so, let's move on. And so the cycle continues, leaving little time for reflection.

The world ranking system is doing its bit to change that perception and being the best in the world is a prestigious honour which is coveted by the players. England have just lost the top ranking in Test cricket to the South Africans and could likewise surrender their spot at the top of the 50 over pile to the Proteas should they lose the current one-day series. England's rise in the 50 over format has been spectacular, they have won all ten 50 over games that they have played in 2012 and their domination has surprised almost everyone, including their skipper.

England's winning streak of 10 games has been accumulated courtesy of two 4-0 series wins against Pakistan and the Aussies and a 2-0 victory over the West Indians. Forget all the hype about how hapless the West Indians were and the lack of interest the touring Aussies displayed, England are top of the pile on merit. Pakistan and Australia are two notable scalps and the margin of victory was highly impressive but there's no doubt that South Africa will provide the sternest test of the year.

The Proteas have been impressive throughout the summer, their discipline and focus has been awesome. They have the massive incentive of trying to capture England's number one ranking, having knocked them off top spot in the Test rankings this would really rub salt in the wounds. Losing one top ranking is regrettable, losing two would be massively disappointing.

The Betfair markets exemplify how highly this South African outfit is rated. England are considered the best team in the world, they are formidable at home with conditions in their favour but they go into the one-day series as underdogs because of the respect that the South Africans have earned on this tour. England are 2.1411/10 to win tomorrow's 2nd ODI which is in effect the first in a four game series after the first match was a washout. The South Africans are 1.865/6 which is a very generous price given just how good they have looked.

Cricket is undoubtedly perpetual, the critics are right there, but is it really meaningless? The two best teams in the world go head to head and the victor will be the undisputed best 50 over side in the world. That's not meaningless, that's international sport at its best.