With Test cricket’s top two sides, Australia and South Africa, gearing up for successive series against each other, both captains have been indulging in some tough talk.

Ricky Ponting is a typical, bluff, no-nonsense Australian who thinks of winning and winning alone. He won’t countenance defeat.

“If South Africa beat us 3-0 I don’t know if that gives them enough points to get over us. But if they won the series 1-0 or 2-1, I don’t think that would mean that they deserve to take over that mantle.”

Bam! Take that, South Africa. You’ll be lucky to get a 3-0 win against Australia and even if you do, it still won’t mean you’re the best. More likely Australia will sneak a Test or hold on for a couple of draws and you DEFINITELY won’t be the best in the world if they manage that.

Ponting continued: “It’s a bit the same with India last series. Just because they beat us, the No.1 team, doesn’t necessarily mean they go from the No.4 or No.5 in the world to No.1 in the world, because it’s something that’s accrued over a long period of time.”

This basically amounts to: ‘On balance, Australia are probably still mathematically No.1,’ which perhaps isn’t the most adrenaline-fuelled rallying cry.

Graeme Smith has been talking up every member of his side too: “Dale Steyn, on current form, is the leading strike bowler in the world, Makhaya [Ntini] is one of the most experienced and Morne Morkel one of the most promising. We have a settled opening pair, the middle order has been functioning superbly for over a year, Jacques Kallis is probably the best allrounder in the world and Mark Boucher is the most experienced and, statistically, the best wicketkeeper the game has seen.”

Is that everyone?

“As a captain I’m delighted with Paul Harris. He has a very clearly defined role in the team.”

See King Cricket’s regular blog at www.kingcricket.co.uk. King Cricket is a cult figure in the world of cricket blogs and was TWC’s first Best-of-blogs winner in April 2008.