Graeme Smith receives Test mace, India ranked third

South Africa’s captain Graeme Smith with the ICC Test Championship mace

Johannesburg - South Africa captain Graeme Smith on Thursday received the ICC Test Championship mace and enhanced prize money of $450,000 for leading his team to the top of the championship table at the April 1 cut-off date.

It is the first time, since the current ranking system was introduced in 2003 that South Africa have finished as the number-one ranked Test side by the cut-off date.

Vince van der Bijl, former Natal, Transvaal and Middlesex fast bowler and currently ICC’s Umpires and Referees Manager, presented the mace to Smith who also collected the cheque of $450,000 from Cricket South Africa (CSA) president Chris Nenzani along with South Africa’s Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula. The ceremony was staged at the Long Room Extension at The Wanderers ground in Johannesburg.

At the presentation, Smith said: “I am truly honoured and humbled to receive the mace and prize money, not just on behalf of myself, the players and the team management but on behalf of all South Africans. We all appreciate the enormous privilege of representing our country and taking on the responsibility that goes with it.”

India are ranked third on the table while England second.