MELBOURNE (Reuters)
South Africa captain Shaun Pollock said Australia deserved to be hailed as the top team in Test cricket after crushing his side in the first two Tests of their three-match series. Pollock said his side had struggled with the pressure they had put on themselves to topple Steve Waugh's team.

Australia retained their top ranking by winning the first Test against the second-ranked Proteas by 246 runs in Adelaide earlier this month and scoring a nine-wicket victory in the second Test in Melbourne on Saturday to seal the series.

"Their rating of the number one team is totally justified," Pollock said. "It's very disappointing. We had high hopes when we came to Australia. At the end of the day we've been beaten by a better team.

"We really wanted it badly. We have got a talented bunch but I don't think we did ourselves justice. I don't think we've played as well as we can. I think we did put too much pressure on ourselves.

"It was billed as the championship of Test cricket and we've definitely been disappointing and maybe putting too much pressure on ourselves has caused it.

"We've been inferior to them in all parts. We have been outplayed. The series is gone now. We can hopefully learn from our mistakes, regroup and come back fighting. Things will definitely improve."

Jacques Kallis said he was disappointed with the lack of support from his team mates after making 65 not out in South Africa's second innings of 128 in the first Test and 99 run out in their second innings of 219 in Melbourne.

"Yes it's obviously nice from a personal point of view to get a few runs," Kallis said. "Unfortunately luck has gone my way and perhaps not for a few other guys.

"Certainly this season our batting has been our strength so it's been a little bit disappointing with the way we've batted in these two Test matches. Then again, we are up against world-class bowlers and you need a little bit of luck to go your way. Unfortunately one or two guys haven't had it.

"We really felt coming in we had a very good chance of beating them and obviously we've been totally outplayed.

"South Africans are renowned for coming back and fighting hard," Kallis added, looking ahead to next week's Sydney Test.

"We've got to play for pride now and losing the series 2-1 is a lot better than losing it 2-0 or 3-0."

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