Proteas not the best if they beat us: Ponting
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Ricky Ponting says it takes a long period of domination to become world champion (file photo). (Getty Images: Michael Steele)
Australian captain Ricky Ponting says South Africa will not deserve to be called the world's best team even if it wins the three-Test series starting in Perth this month.
Australia is 13 points ahead of the second-placed Proteas on the International Cricket Council's Test rankings.
Ponting says it takes a long period of domination for a team to become world champion.
"It has taken us a long time and a lot of great wins in different conditions around the world to get us to that number one spot," he said.
"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."
Ponting said he had been assured that his wrist problem would not force him to scale back his workload.
Ponting had the injury assessed by a surgeon in Melbourne yesterday and was cleared to play against the Proteas.
He said while the wrist has been troubling him, he remains confident he will be able to lead the team for years to come.
"I certainly don't feel that I'm anywhere near the end of my career yet and I don't feel that I'm at the end of my captaincy with the side either," he said.
"It's a challenging time for me and for the team right now as we all know, but it's an exciting time for me as well and one that I'm looking to work really closely with some of the younger players and ensure that we get through this as best as we possibly can."
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