Australia was officially confirmed as the best team in Test match cricket when its captain, Stephen Waugh, was presented with the ICC Test Championship trophy at Edgbaston today (4th July 2001).

ICC Trophy Presentation - l to r , Warne, Waugh, Gilchrist Photo AFP

The new Trophy is awarded to the country at the head of the ICC Test Championship, introduced at the start of the England v Pakistan series in May.

Australia tops the table with an average of 1.62 points from its 13 completed series, followed by South Africa (1.47 from 15 series) and England (1.14 from 14 series).

"Australia has played magnificent Test match cricket in recent years, culminating in its historic run of 16 consecutive victories. It is a very worthy first recipient of the ICC Test Championship Trophy," said ICC Chief Executive David Richards in making the presentation.

Replying on behalf of the Australian team Stephen Waugh commented:" The ICC Test Championship is a great idea. Since the game began people have debated which the best Test side is at anyone time. The introduction of this league table, coupled with the ICC's ten year tours programme, means we will now get a definitive answer to that question. It's a huge honour for Australia to be the first team to hold the ICC Test Championship Trophy as the players place enormous value on their success in this form of the game.

"It's great to see the traditional form of the game getting its due reward and I hope the Championship will help ensure Test cricket retains its status as the purest form of the game."

The distinctive mace design trophy was commissioned by the ICC from Asprey & Garrard. Valued at £30,000, it will be awarded to all future teams that head the Championship.

The current table, last updated at the conclusion of the drawn series between Zimbabwe and India shows:

ICC TEST CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE, JUNE 2001

Team	       Played  Won    Lost   Drawn    Points   Average
Australia	 13    10	2      1	21	1.62
South Africa     15    10	3      2	22	1.47
England          14     7	5      2	16	1.14
Sri Lanka        13     5	5      3	13	1.00
New Zealand      15     6	7      2	14	0.93
West Indies      12     5	6      1	11	0.92
India	         13     3       6      4	10	0.77
Pakistan         15	3	7      5	11	0.73
Zimbabwe         13	2	9      2	 6	0.46
Bangladesh        1	0	1      0	 0	  -

The top two teams, Australia and South Africa, will play each other home and away over the next nine months. Australia hosts SA in December and travels to South Africa for the return encounter in February. The outcome of the two series could have a direct bearing on the leadership of the table.

Media contacts:

Mark Harrison
ICC Communications Manager
Tel: + 44 20 7266 7913/1818
Mobile: 0787 944 1891
Email: mark.harrison@icc.cricket.org

Brian Murgatroyd
ACB Media Manager
(On tour with the Australian team)
Mobile: 07747 006238
Email: brian_murgatroyd@acb.com.au

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