Test championship on line

Test cricket's first real world championship gets underway on Friday when Australia take on South Africa in the first of three Tests to determine the best team in the world.

Arguments over who is the best team in Test cricket have raged as long as the game has been played but this series marks the first time the official title has been on the line.

Steve Waugh's Australians already have possession of the ICC's world championship trophy after winning 20 of their 26 previous Tests, but under the ICC's ranking system, they need to beat the South Africans in this series to remain on top.

Shaun Pollock's Proteas are ranked second on the standings and can leapfrog Australia by drawing the three-match series, but Pollock says his team doesn't want to win the title that way.

"As a team we always play to win, but to win a Test series would be more important than drawing a Test series just to be world champs," Pollock said.

"The way it stands now it's obviously great because you've got the two best sides and it's a real motivating factor.

"To be able to walk away and say that you were rated the best team is a real father in the cap. It's the cherry on the top but only if we do win the series."

Australia are slight favourites to win the series. They have never lost a series at home to South Africa and haven't lost a series at home to any country since 1994.

But their reputation was dented during the recent drawn series with New Zealand. Australia were on top in the first two matches, which were both ruined by rain, but had to battle hard to force a draw in the final match of the series.

"A lot's been made of our drawn series with New Zealand...we were a bit flat but we didn't lose a Test and I think we're in a good shape," Waugh said.

"I'm confident we play well under pressure, that's our strength and we'll be hoping to prove that in the next three Tests. The number one place is at stake so there's plenty to play for."

SELECTION DILEMMAS
On the eve of the first day of the series opener, both teams were playing their cards close to their chest.

The Australians have added a second leg spinner, Stuart MacGill, to their squad but have still not decided whether to play him or stick with Shane Warne and the three-pronged pace attack of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee.

Similarly, the Proteas were keen to give nothing away, with Pollock insisting the team wouldn't be decided until match day.

The biggest dilemma for the South Africans is to decide between pacemen Makhaya Ntini and Allan Donald.

Donald is South Africa's greatest wicket taker and is back in the team after a long layoff through injury. Ntini, the first black African cricketer to play for South Africa, is struggling for form but the Proteas selectors are under political pressure to choose him.

Pollock would not be drawn on the issue but said: "I think everyone knows the situation. We know what we have to abide by. Aside from that we have to pick the best guys available."

With so much at stake, the series, and especially the opening match at picturesque Adelaide Oval, is sure to have plenty of spice.

UNCOMPROMISING STYLES
Both sides, who have been involved in some epic matches in recent years, play in the same uncompromising competitive way and no-one expects it to be different this time.

"I really enjoy playing South Africa. They're an excellent side, they're very tough and competitive. I like the intensity," Waugh said.

"From my point of view, they're my favourite side to play against because they're very competitive and they play the game the same way as us."

Pollock said he expected a tough series with lots of sledging from both teams.

"When you play against Australia you expect hard cricket.

There's no doubt that if you want to perform well against Australia you have to be mentally strong," he said.

"And sledging is part of the game...if you can make a person out there in the middle feel uncomfortable then why not, it's probably a good tactic."

Mail Cricket Editor